On the Iatrogenic Risk of Assessing Suicidality: A Meta‐Analysis

2017/07/05 by Christopher R. DeCou, Matthew E. Schumann · 1 voice · 1 citation
Psychology · Medicine · #Suicide and Self-Harm Studies #Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments #Traumatic Brain Injury Research

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/sltb.12368

openalex publication_date 2017/07/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/03

Abstract

Previous studies have failed to detect an iatrogenic effect of assessing suicidality. However, the perception that asking about suicide may induce suicidality persists. This meta-analysis quantitatively synthesized research concerning the iatrogenic risks of assessing suicidality. This review included studies that explicitly evaluated the iatrogenic effects of assessing suicidality via prospective research methods. Thirteen articles were identified that met inclusion criteria. Evaluation of the pooled effect of assessing suicidality with regard to negative outcomes did not demonstrate significant iatrogenic effects. Our findings support the appropriateness of universal screening for suicidality, and should allay fears that assessing suicidality is harmful.

Cited by

• Is Burnout a Depressive Condition? A 14-Sample Meta-Analytic and Bifactor Analytic Study

Discussions

• Pro tip: Asking someone if they are suicidal won't make them want to kill themselves. This isn't just my opinion. It is research. http://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12368 #SuicideAwarenessMonth #AAS365 #BeTh [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

Related

• Single-Item Measurement of Suicidal Behaviors: Validity and Consequences of Misclassification
• Incidence of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in the United States, 1994
• Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A meta-analysis of 50 years of research.
• Monitoring, assessing, and responding to suicide risk in clinical research.
• Suicide is a complex problem that requires a range of prevention initiatives and methods of evaluation