title: Effect of hopelessness on the links between psychiatric symptoms and suicidality in a vulnerable population at risk of suicide.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of two risk factors working together on a measure of suicide probability in a highly vulnerable group who were male prisoners identified as being at risk of self harm. The first risk factor was psychiatric symptoms, including general psychiatric symptoms and symptoms of personality disorder. The second risk factor was psychological precursors of suicidal thoughts and behaviours which were defeat, entrapment, and hopelessness. Sixty-five male prisoners from a high secure prison in NW England, UK, were recruited, all of whom were considered at risk of suicide by prison staff. General psychiatric symptoms and symptoms of personality disorders predicted the probability of suicide. Hopelessness amplified the strength of the positive relationship between general psychiatric symptoms and suicide probability. These amplification effects acted most strongly on suicidal ideation as opposed to negative self evaluations or hostility. In contrast, defeat, entrapment and hopelessness did not affect the relationship between personality disorders and suicide probability. Clinical assessments of highly vulnerable individuals, as exemplified by prisoners, should include measures of a range of general psychiatric symptoms, together with measures of psychological components, in particular perceptions of hopelessness.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK. Electronic address: patricia.gooding@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gooding
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarrier
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK; Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Awenat
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ulph
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK; Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pratt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Affective hopelessness; Motivational hopelessness; Personality disorder; Prisoners; Psychiatric disorders; Suicide probability