Temporal self-appraisals associated with suicide-related thoughts and behaviors

Temporal self-appraisal (TSA) is the trajectory of self-appraisal over time, including how a person views their past and future selves in relation to their present self. In this study, we examined the TSA of individuals with and without a history of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (STBs).

Using Amazon Mechanical Turk for recruitment, we studied 397 participants on validated measures of TSA, STBs, and mood.

The non-STB group (n = 291) had a TSA trajectory similar to that previously found for nonclinical populations, with perceived self-improvement over time. In contrast, the TSA of the STB group (n = 106) had two distinct qualities: their TSA profiles were more negative at all time points (past, present, and future) than the non-STB group, and they displayed similar anticipated present-to-future growth as the non-STB group but perceived minimal past-to-present change. These differences persisted when controlling for depression, anxiety, and stress, suggesting a distinct STB-related TSA profile independent of comorbid affective states.

This study is limited by the use of self-report measures and cross-sectional design.

By investigating TSA, this study provides insights into the unique aspects of self-appraisal associated with having a history of STBs and emphasizes the need for therapeutic interventions that foster self-continuity and positive self-appraisal across time. Future research should focus on clarifying the mechanisms underlying this distinct self-appraisal pattern in the STB group and the effects of interventions that enhance temporal self-appraisal.