Worst-Point Suicidal Plans: a Dimension of Suicidality Predictive of Past Suicide Attempts and Eventual Death by Suicide

Among 440 psychiatric outpatients with current suicidal ideation, the authors examined the empirical distinction between the “plans” vs. “desire” dimensions of suicidality, focusing for conceptual & empirical reasons on a worst-point assessment strategy. Among the current ideators included in this study, the worst-point “plans” dimension was the only predictor significantly related to both of 2 important indices, history of past attempt & eventual suicide. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of assessment for suicide potential. (37 refs)