Investigating dynamics and predictors of suicidal behaviors using ambulatory assessment

Ambulatory assessment studies may provide important insights in the etiology of suicidal behaviors, because suicidal behaviors and their risk factors fluctuate over time.The review aims at (1) evaluating the current state of research and (2) summarizing main findings in this field. Reviewed studies (N = 4) were heterogeneous. Up to 74% of participants reported suicidal ideation during ambulatory assessment sampling. Suicidal ideation was predicted by intensity and instability of negative affective states (e.g., worry, sadness). Ambulatory assessment studies seem a promising approach to uncover the dynamic course of suicidal ideation and its risk factors in clinically relevant time frames (i.e., real-time).