Does assessing suicidality frequently and repeatedly cause harm? A randomized control study.

ABSTRACT: Assessing suicidality is common in mental health practice and is fundamental to suicide research. Although necessary, there is significant concern that such assessments have unintended harmful consequences. Using a longitudinal randomized control design, the authors evaluated whether repeated and frequent assessments of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors negatively affected individuals, including those at-risk for suicide-related outcomes. Adults (N = 282), including many diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), were recruited through psychiatric outpatient clinics and from the community at large, and were randomly assigned to assessment groups. A control assessment group responded to questions regarding negative psychological experiences several times each day during a 2-

SUBMITTER: Law MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4615260 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature