Coping strategies that reduce suicidal ideation: An ecological momentary assessment study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health

Background:

• Suicide-specific interventions teach coping skills, but intuitive, self-initiated coping strategies for suicidal ideation are understudied.
• Understanding natural coping mechanisms is crucial for effective suicide prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effectiveness of naturally used coping strategies in reducing the intensity of suicidal thinking.
• To identify which coping strategies individuals intuitively employ to manage suicidal ideation.

Main Methods:

• Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) was used with 50 participants with suicidal ideation, mood disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
• Daily assessments over one week captured real-time coping strategy use, perceived effectiveness, and suicidal ideation intensity.

Main Results:

• Two coping factors emerged: distraction/positive activity and mindfulness-oriented strategies.
• Distraction/positive activity strategies significantly lowered suicidal ideation intensity in daily life.
• Higher baseline suicidal ideation correlated with lower overall use of effective coping strategies.

Conclusions:

• Distraction and positive activity-based coping strategies offer short-term benefits in decreasing suicidal ideation.
• Findings can guide clinicians in advising patients on coping strategies and inform the development of new psychosocial interventions for suicide prevention.