Targeting Perceived Burdensomeness to Reduce Suicide Risk

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Military Health

Background:

• Perceived burdensomeness (PB) is a significant suicide risk factor, often stemming from a distorted cognition that one's life is less valuable than their death.
• PB is a critical target for suicide intervention, particularly in clinically severe and military populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of interventions targeting perceived burdensomeness (PB) in reducing suicidal ideation among military personnel at high risk.
• To explore the mediational role of PB in treatment-related improvements in suicidal ideation.

Main Methods:

• Two studies involving military participants (N=69 and N=181) at high suicide risk who underwent interventions focused on PB.
• Study 2 included an active PB-intervention arm (N=181) and a control arm (N=121) receiving standard care.
• Suicidal ideation was measured at baseline and at multiple follow-up points (1-24 months) using repeated-measures ANOVA and mediation analyses.

Main Results:

• Participants in both studies showed significant reductions in suicidal ideation from baseline to follow-up.
• Study 2 results corroborated Study 1, supporting a potential mediational role for PB in treatment outcomes.
• Effect sizes for the intervention's impact ranged from .07 to .25.

Conclusions:

• Interventions specifically designed to decrease perceived burdensomeness are uniquely and significantly effective in reducing suicidal thoughts.
• Targeting PB offers a promising therapeutic avenue for suicide prevention in high-risk military populations.