Worst-point suicidal plans: A dimension of suicidality predictive of past suicide attempts and eventual death by suicide

Authors

Thomas E. Joiner, Florida State University
Robert A. Steer, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Gregory Brown, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicineFollow
Aaron T. Beck, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicineFollow
Jeremy W. Pettit, Florida State University
M. David Rudd, Baylor University

Abstract

Among 440 psychiatric outpatients with current suicidal ideation, we examined the empirical distinction between the "plans" vs. "desire" dimensions of suicidality, focusing for conceptual and empirical reasons on a worst-point assessment strategy. Factor analyses were consistent with the distinction, but more importantly, among the current ideators included in this study, the worst-point "plans" dimension was the only predictor significantly related to both of two important indices, history of past attempt and eventual suicide. These findings bear on the trajectory of suicidal behavior over time, as well as inform the clinical assessment of suicidal patients. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Recommended Citation

Joiner, T., Steer, R., Brown, G., Beck, A., Pettit, J., & Rudd, M. (2003). Worst-point suicidal plans: A dimension of suicidality predictive of past suicide attempts and eventual death by suicide. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41 (12), 1469-1480. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00070-6