Implicit Cognition Tests for the Assessment of Suicide Risk: a Systematic Review

Purpose of Review Suicide risk assessment is a challenge in clinical practice. Implicit measures may present with advantages with respect to explicit methods, and therefore may be useful for the assessment of suicide risk. We conducted a systematic review of 2 databases (PubMed and EMBASE) about implicit tests that measure suicide risk to explore their validity and reliability. Recent Findings Initial research revealed 321 articles. After the selection process, 31 articles were included in the review. The most death-related implicit cognition test used was the Death/Suicide Implicit association test (D/S IAT), followed by the Suicide Stroop Task. The Suicide Affect Misattribution Procedure (S-AMP) and the Death version of the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (D-IRAP) were also used. Summary We found that the measures reviewed were generally valid for the assessment of past and future suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with statistically significant results regarding retrospective and prospective associations.

Automated summary

This article systematically reviews the validity and reliability of implicit tests for assessing suicide risk. The findings suggest that these measures are generally effective in assessing past and future suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with statistically significant results in retrospective and prospective associations.