%0 Journal Article
%T 'Flash-forwards' and suicidal ideation: a prospective investigation of mental imagery, entrapment and defeat in a cohort from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey
%J Psychiatry research
%D 2016
%A Ng, Roger M. K.
%A Di Simplicio, Martina
%A McManus, Freda
%A Kennerley, Helen
%A Holmes, Emily A.
%V 246
%N 
%P 453-460
%X 'Flash-forwards' - mental images of suicide - have been reported in selected Caucasian samples. Perceptions of defeat and entrapment are considered to be associated with suicidal ideation. We aimed to investigate (1) the presence of suicidal flash-forwards in people with recent suicidal ideation versus those without such ideation in an Asian sample, and (2) associations between suicidal flash-forwards, and perceptions of entrapment accounting for suicidal ideation. Eighty two suicidal and 80 non-suicidal participants from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey completed questionnaires including suicidal ideation, presence of suicidal flash-forward images, defeat and entrapment, at baseline and seven weeks later. Suicidal 'flash-forwards' were present only in suicidal cases. People with recent suicidal ideation and suicidal flash-forwards had more severe suicidal ideation than those without flash-forwards. Compared to those without suicidal ideation, people with recent suicidal ideation reported higher entrapment and defeat levels. Resolution of suicidal ideation over time was associated with fewer suicidal flash-forwards and reduced entrapment perceptions. At baseline and seven weeks, suicidal ideation was predicted by an interaction between suicidal flash-forwards presence and perceptions of entrapment. Mental imagery of suicide appears to be associated with suicidal ideation, and may represent a novel target in suicidal risk assessment and prevention.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0165-1781
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.10.018