Variability in Suicidal Ideation: a Better Predictor of Suicide Attempts Than Intensity or Duration of Ideation?

The authors assessed the liability conferred by a variable pattern of suicide ideation compared to the intensity & duration of suicidal thoughts. They also examined if there is an interaction between gender & the parameters of intensity, duration, & variability. 108 participants completed the Suicide Probability Scale every day for 4 weeks. Variables were entered into a regression model as predictors of previous suicide attempts. Consistent with prediction, high variability of ideation was the only significant predictor of previous attempt status. An interaction between gender & variability suggested that variability was more critical in predicting previous attempts for males. (20 refs.) JA