Implicit Identification with Death Predicts Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Adolescent Psychiatry
• Suicidology

Background:

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are a leading cause of death in adolescents.
• Previous research linked implicit identification with death to STBs in adults.
• The adolescent population has not been studied in this context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of implicit identification with death for detecting and predicting STBs in adolescents.
• To examine the Death Implicit Association Test (IAT) as a measure of suicide risk in youth.
• To assess the predictive validity of the Death IAT over a 1-year follow-up period.

Main Methods:

• 141 adolescents (12-19 years) with psychiatric conditions completed the Death IAT and STB measures at baseline.
• Follow-up assessments for STBs were conducted at 6 months and 1 year.
• Statistical analyses examined baseline correlations and prospective prediction of STBs.

Main Results:

• Higher Death IAT scores correlated with greater frequency, severity, and duration of suicide ideation at baseline.
• Death IAT scores predicted any occurrence of suicide ideation over 1 year, but not when controlling for prior ideation.
• Adolescents with prior attempts who reattempted showed higher Death IAT scores.

Conclusions:

• Implicit identification with death, measured by the Death IAT, may serve as a behavioral indicator of suicide risk in adolescents.
• The Death IAT shows potential for aiding in the prediction of STBs among adolescents in outpatient treatment.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings in diverse adolescent populations.