Uncontrollability of suicidal ideation adds incremental explanatory power in prediction of later suicidal ideation

Abstract Objective Suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors are major public health concerns in the United States and are difficult to treat and predict. Risk factors that are incrementally informative are needed to improve prediction and inform prevention of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Uncontrollability of suicidal ideation, one parameter of suicidal ideation, is one such candidate. Method In the current study, we assessed the predictive power of uncontrollability of suicidal ideation, over and above overall suicidal ideation, for future suicidal ideation in a large sample of active‐duty service members. A total of 1044 suicidal military service members completed baseline assessments, of whom 664 (63.6%) completed 3‐month follow‐up assessments. Results While baseline overall suicidal ideation itself was the strongest predictor of future suicidal ideation, uncontrollability of suicidal ideation added some incremental explanatory power. Conclusion Further study of uncontrollability of suicidal thought is needed to elucidate its impact on suicidal outcomes.