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The communication of suicidal intentions: a meta-analysis
M Pompili1, M Belvederi Murri2, S Patti2
1Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs,Suicide Prevention Center,Sant'Andrea Hospital,Sapienza University of Rome,Italy.
Psychological Medicine
|May 31, 2016
Summary
Suicide communication (SC) occurs in nearly half of completed suicides, contradicting the myth that talking about suicide is not serious. While SC is a significant risk factor, its diagnostic accuracy for predicting suicide requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- A common misconception suggests individuals discussing suicide rarely die by suicide.
- This study challenges that myth by examining evidence on suicide communication (SC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on the prevalence of suicide communication (SC).
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of SC in predicting suicide using case-control studies.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 36 studies involving 14,601 completed suicides.
- Analysis of study characteristics, definitions, and communication modalities.
- Evaluation of seven case-control studies for diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- Suicide communication (SC) was present in 44.5% of completed suicides, with significant heterogeneity and publication bias.
- SC was associated with an odds ratio of 4.66 for suicide.
- Diagnostic accuracy was sufficient only when adolescent studies were excluded.
Conclusions:
- Suicide communication (SC) occurs in a substantial proportion of suicides, likely an underestimate.
- Current data suggest insufficient diagnostic accuracy for SC predicting suicide, necessitating further research.