Suicidal Behaviors: Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

Dear Colleagues,

We all know that suicide is a global problem, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that approximately 700,000 people around the world die by suicide each year. This alarming statistic is compounded by other manifestations of suicidal behavior, such as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, which are far more common in the population and cause profound suffering. Therefore, suicidal behaviors (SBs) are serious psychosocial and public health issues worldwide, with an undeniable impact on the individual, their family, and society. However, political, social, and healthcare responses are often hindered by stigma and a reluctance to address the problem. Although progress has been made in identifying risk factors, understanding the multidimensional and existential nature of suicidal behavior remains challenging. Aspects such as the differential weight of risk factors in their contribution to suicidal behaviors, the role of protective factors, the importance of interpersonal, psychosocial, and contextual issues in suicide risk, or the role that all these variables play in the onset of suicidal ideation and its transition to suicidal behavior or suicide still require further study. Delving into these aspects in detail will contribute to the development of more effective universal, selective, or indicated prevention strategies and enable the development of personalized intervention and postvention programs, ultimately contributing to a more effective approach to suicidal behavior.

This Special Issue’s objective is to enhance our understanding of suicidal behaviors (SBs) and their risk and protective factors as well as highlight new proposals for intervention, postvention, and prevention in this field. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and meta-analyses that contribute to expanding knowledge about risk and protective factors and present novel interventions as well as evidence supporting existing postvention and prevention strategies for suicidal behaviors.

Dr. Irene Caro-Cañizares
Dr. María Cantero-García
Dr. Eva Izquierdo-Sotorrío
Guest Editors

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• suicide
• suicide behaviors
• suicide prevention
• risk factors
• protective factors
• tailored interventions
• postvention

Title: The impact of relationships within combat units on post-deployment suicide risk
Authors: Leo Sher
Affiliation: Inpatient Psychiatry, James J. Peters VA Medical Center; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract: Multiple deployment factors may affect suicidality in combat veterans. The relationships between combat deployments and suicidality are not completely understood. The goal of this article is to review and discuss how relationships within combat units may influence post-deployment suicide risk. Studies suggest that interactions within combat units affect post-deployment psychiatric conditions, suicidal ideation, and behavior. These studies are generally focused on two aspects: unit cohesion and harassment/abuse. Both factors may affect post-deployment suicidality. I will discuss how sound post-deployment social support and efficient treatment of psychiatric disorders may mitigate suicide risk associated with adverse relationships within combat units.

Title: Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents and Young Adults: The Role of Defeat, Entrapment, and Depressive Symptoms - From a Systematic Review to a tentative theoretical model
Authors: Huertes-del arco, A. (1,2), Izquierdo Sotorrío, E. (2), Carrasco, M. A. (1)*, Caro-Cañizares, Irene (2), Holgado-Tello, F.P. (1)
Affiliation: 1 Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain, 2 Universidad a Distancia de Madrid (UDIMA), Madrid, Spain * Corresponding: [email protected]
Abstract: Suicide stands as one of the leading causes of non-accidental death among adolescents and young adults. The Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model (IMV) of suicidal behavior identifies feelings of defeat and entrapment as pivotal factors in comprehending the complex dynamics underlying suicidal behaviours. Additionally, depressive symptomatology plays a crucial role in the development of these behaviors. The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature on the association of three risk factors—entrapment, defeat, and depressive symptomatology—with suicidal ideation in adolescent population, and to test a tentative theoretical model. The databases used were PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest. Primary studies examining the role of entrapment, defeat, and depressive symptomatology in suicidal ideation among adolescents and young adults (ages 10-35) were selected. Additionally, a model based on structural equation modelling was analyzed to assess the relationships between entrapment, defeat, depressive symptomatology, and suicidal ideation. Eleven studies met the established inclusion criteria. Defeat and entrapment are associated with depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation, regardless of the country studied. Additionally, the model indicates that entrapment and defeat lead to depressive symptomatology, which in turn contributes to the occurrence of suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that defeat and entrapment could be important factors in explaining suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults. Consequently, the results of this work may contribute to the development of strategies for preventing suicidal ideation in this population. Keywords: Entrapment, Defeat, Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, Adolescents, Young Adults, Systematic Review

Title: Emotional Regulation and Problematic Behaviors in Adolescence: A Psychometric Network Analysis
Authors: 1.Dalila Eslava; 2.Miguel Angel Carrasco; 3.Francisco Pablo Holgado-Tello; 4.Begoña Delgado
Affiliation: 1. Department of Psychology and Sociology; Faculty of Social Science, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain 2. Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatments; Faculty of Psychology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain 3. Department of Methodology of Behavioral Science , Faculty of Psychology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain. 4. Department of Developmental Psychology and Education; Faculty of Psychology, National University of Distance Education, Madrid, Spain