Evaluating Potential Iatrogenic Effects of a Suicide-Focused Research Protocol.

Concerns regarding the potential iatrogenic effects of suicide assessment have long impeded suicide research. We sought to examine the effects of an intensive, suicide-focused assessment protocol on mood, suicidality, and urges to harm oneself or others. Participants were adults admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit for recent suicidal ideation or behavior, or reasons unrelated to suicide. Our study protocol included clinical interviews evaluating suicide history and laboratory tasks with suicide-related stimuli. We modified an existing measure to create a brief, 6-item interview, the Assessment Session Check-In, which was administered before and after research procedures. These indicated overall reductions in distress, suicidal intent, and urges to harm oneself or others from preassessment to postassessment. Postassessment reductions in stress predicted lower likelihood of a suicide attempt at follow-up. Although beneficial to examine a high-risk sample, it is possible that an intensive suicide-focused protocol could prove more problematic for those with lower baseline levels of negative affect and suicidal thoughts. Results challenge the belief that assessing suicide elevates distress or suicidality, even among a high-risk sample of adults admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit.