Patients at high risk of suicide before and during a COVID-19 lockdown: ecological momentary assessment study Articles uri icon

authors

  • COBO AGUILERA, AURORA
  • Porras Segovia, Alejandro
  • Perez Rodriguez, Mercedes
  • ARTES RODRIGUEZ, ANTONIO
  • BARRIGON ESTEVEZ, MARIA LUISA
  • COURTET, PHILIPPE
  • BACA GARCIA, ENRIQUE

publication date

  • May 2021

start page

  • 1

end page

  • 3

issue

  • 3

volume

  • 7

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 2056-4724

abstract

  • The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may have affected the mental health of patients at high risk of suicide. In this study we explored the wish to die and other suicide risk factors using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in patients with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Contrary to our expectations we found a decrease in the wish to die during lockdown. This is consistent with previous studies showing that suicide rates decrease during periods of social emergency. Smartphone-based EMA can allow us to remotely assess patients and overcome the physical barriers imposed by lockdown.

subjects

  • Psychology
  • Telecommunications

keywords

  • covid-19; ecological momentary assessment; machine learning; suicide; suicide attempt