Exploring Predictors of Passive Versus Active Suicidal Ideation

Background: Passive and active suicidal ideation (SI) have been shown to be co-occurring but are distinguishable constructs with presumably differential sets of predictors. Aims: The present analysis integrates nomothetic and idiographic analyses to unravel the relations between passive and active SI and momentary affective states in real-time data to tap several knowledge gaps. Methods: 54 psychiatric inpatients rated their current passive and active SI and positive as well as negative affect for six consecutive days (10 random prompts daily) using ecological momentary assessments on smartphones. Data were analyzed using group iterative multiple model estimation (GIMME). Results: On subgroup level, only significant contemporaneous paths emerged (with no direct paths from affect to active SI). In general, the personalized models revealed large heterogeneity. The number, direction, and strengths of individual paths differed enormously (with fewer direct paths from affect to active SI than to passive SI overall). Passive and active SI were interrelated in the majority of individual models. Limitations: Findings are limited by item wording, co-occurence of passive and active SI, and the short observation interval. Conclusion: The heterogeneous individual models potentially reflect structural and functional differences in the development and maintenance of SI.