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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. © 2013 The Authors.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2013.11.006

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of Affective Disorders

Publication Date

01/02/2014

Volume

155

Pages

241 - 246