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BACKGROUND: Previous research has suggested that some individuals may obtain comfort from their suicidal cognitions. METHOD: This study explored clinical variables associated with comfort from suicidal cognition using a newly developed 5 item measure in 217 patients with a history of recurrent depression and suicidality, of whom 98 were followed up to at least one relapse to depression and reported data on suicidal ideation during the follow-up phase. RESULTS: Results indicated that a minority of patients, around 15%, reported experiencing comfort from suicidal cognitions and that comfort was associated with several markers of a more severe clinical profile including both worst ever prior suicidal ideation and worst suicidal ideation over a 12 month follow-up period. LIMITATIONS: Few patients self-harmed during the follow-up period preventing an examination of associations between comfort and repetition of self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: These results, although preliminary, suggest that future theoretical and clinical research would benefit from further consideration of the concept of comfort from suicidal thinking.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2013.11.006

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Affect Disord

Publication Date

02/2014

Volume

155

Pages

241 - 246

Keywords

Cognition, Comfort, Depression, Suicidality, Adult, Cognition, Depression, Emotions, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Recurrence, Self-Injurious Behavior, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide