Citation

Joiner TE, Conwell Y, Fitzpatrick KK, Witte TK, Schmidt NB, Berlim MT, Fleck MP, Rudd MD. J. Abnorm. Psychol. 2005; 114(2): 291-303.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA. joiner@psy.fsu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0021-843X.114.2.291

PMID

15869359

Abstract

T. E. Joiner's (2004, in press) theory of suicidal behavior suggests that past suicidal behavior plays an important role in future suicidality. However, the mechanism by which this risk is transferred and the causal implications have not been well studied. The current study provides evaluation of the nature and limits of this relationship across 4 populations, with varying degrees of suicidal behavior. Across settings, age groups, and impairment levels, the association between past suicidal behavior and current suicidal symptoms held, even when controlling for strong covariates like hopelessness and symptoms of various Axis I and II syndromes.

RESULTS provide additional support for the importance of past suicidality as a substantive risk factor for later suicidal behavior.

Language: en