(PS9-C54) Understanding Predictors of Suicide Risk: A Comparison of the Suicide Cognitions Scale-revised and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation on Predicting Baseline Suicidal Ideation and Attempt History

From 2000-2018, suicide rates increased by 30%(CDC, 2022). Despite this trend, traditional suicide risk assessment has been minimally effective in predicting future suicide attempts (Hawton, et al., 2022; Bjureberg, et al., 2021; Simpson, et al., 2021). This may be, in part, because they not account for the cyclical nature of suicidal ideation (Butner, et al., 2021). The fluid vulnerability theory creates a distinction between risk time points (FVT; Rudd, 2006). The FVT acknowledges the everchanging, cyclic, nature of current ideations and proposes a trait-like baseline level of suicide risk which may better predict future suicidal ideation and attempts (Moscardini, et al., 2021) . The Suicide Cognition Scale-Revised (SCS-R) is a 16-item scale which assesses maladaptive core beliefs. This may provide distinct insight from traditional measures of suicidal ideation which often only capture recent, or acute, ideation (Bryan, 2022).
To better understand factors of future suicide risk, the present study will compare total baseline scores of the SCS-R to baseline Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI; Beck, et al., 1979) scores. In line with the FVT, we predict that baseline SCS-R scores will better predict lifetime history of suicide attempt when compared to baseline SSI scores.
This pilot study is a randomized controlled trial aiming to compare the efficacy of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for telehealth (BCBT-T) and Present Centered Therapy for Telehealth (PCT-T) on individuals that have recently experienced suicidal ideations and/or suicidal behaviors. A total of 80 participants will be recruited from the ambulatory care waitlist from a large Academic Medical Center (AMC) and direct patient referrals from community providers. Following completion of informed consent, participants are randomized to either BCBT-T or PCT-T prior to completing 12 weekly therapy sessions via an online teleconferencing platform. Self-report measures are collected at 3-month intervals through 12-month follow-up. This study is currently open to enrollment and has a total of 63 participants who have enrolled in treatment, 36 of whom have completed treatment. A total of 53 participants completed 3-month follow-up, 39 completed 6-month, 39 completed 9-month, and 38 completed 12-month follow-up.
Data Collection is currently ongoing. The primary outcome of this study will be suicide attempts, including aborted, interrupted, and completed attempts, as measured through the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview Revised (SITBI-R; Fox, et al., 2020) We plan to use logistic regression to test associations between baseline SCS-R and SSI scores to lifetime suicide attempt history. Total scores for both the SCS-R and SSI will be calculated and used as the predictor variables for lifetime suicide attempt history.
Understanding the limitations associated with assessing acute suicide risk associated with ideations alone is integral to suicide prevention.