Social Group Identification as a Predictor of Pretreatment Suicidal Ideation and Intent in those Receiving cCBT: Evidence from a Scottish Primary Care Sample

Abstract

Suicidal ideation and intent are strongly linked with suicidal attempts and completions; however, no study to date has explored the predictors of ideation and intent within a sample receiving computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) as an intervention for mild to moderate depression. The current study investigates the impact of social group identification and socioeconomic deprivation, together with a number of important clinical and demographic factors, on suicidal ideation and intent within a Scottish primary care sample. Participants (N = 1062) were recruited from referrals to a cCBT program, “Beating the Blues” (BtB), over a 33-month period. Participants completed three versions of the group identifications scale (GIS), one for each of three groups: family, community, and a social group of choice. Single-item questions on suicidal ideation and intent were delivered through the BtB program, and demographic and clinical information were collected on commencing BtB. More severe psychological distress, fewer group identifications, younger age, and being male, all significantly predicted the presence of suicidal ideations, however only greater severity of psychological distress was associated with more serious suicidal intent. These results provide valuable insight into factors associated with suicidal ideation and intent within a clinical population from a psychosocial, psychopharmacological, and demographic perspective.

Keywords:

• Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT)
• SIMD
• social group identification
• socioeconomic deprivation
• suicidal ideation
• suicidal intent

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

ETHICAL STATEMENT

The current study acts in accordance with the ethical standards set by the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

Additional information

Funding

A proportion of the data was collected within the framework of the MasterMind project (Vis et al., 2015) Consortium. The MasterMind project is co-funded by the European Commission within the ICT Policy Support Programme of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme [Grant Agreement No./: 621000]. The content of this study reflects only the author’s views and not the European Community. The European Community cannot be made liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Notes on contributors

Kevin Power

Kevin Power, Department of Clinical Psychology, NHS Tayside, Dundee, Scotland, UK; School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK.

Fabia Cientanni

Fabia Cientanni, Department of Clinical Psychology, NHS Tayside, Dundee, Scotland, UK.

Christopher Wright

Christopher Wright, Scottish Centre for Telehealth & Telecare, South Queensferry, Scotland, UK.