The Study of Motivation in the Suicidal Process

The Motivational Interview for Suicidality

Bibliographic Data

ID15525932
AuthorsMarta Moselli (0000-0002-8032-3533, Sapienza University of Rome), Camilla Frattini (Sapienza University of Rome), Riccardo Williams (0000-0001-8022-5477, Sapienza University of Rome, corresponding author), Elsa Ronningstam (0000-0002-7615-962X, Harvard University)
Year2021
Volume11
Pages598866-598866
Publication date2021-01-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2020.598866
PMID33519549
OpenAlexW3121089458
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited79

Introduction: Suicide is the outcome of a process starting with the experiences of an unbearable pain or hopelessness, passing from suicidal ideation and planning, to possible para-suicidal behaviors or actual attempts. Recent studies have evidenced the necessity to integrate approaches based on the identification of psychopathological diagnoses and other variables as possible predictors of suicidal conduct with a more clinically based approach. A clinical assessment is needed that focuses on the patients' mental state with respect to thoughts concerning death and suicide. In particular, a qualitative assessment of motivations underlying the suicidal process could represent an effective guide for clinicians engaged in the difficult field of preventing adolescents' suicidal gestures. Most instruments investigating the suicidal motivation are self-report measures, possibly resulting in a lack of sufficiently valid assessment of this area. In the present work, we present the Motivational Interview for Suicidality in Adolescence (MIS-A) aiming at identifying the motivational areas sustaining suicidal ideation and gestures in this phase of development. Materials and Methods: The identification of the different areas derives from a thorough review of the empirical literature subsequently vetted by expert clinicians who selected specific reasons behind suicidal ideation and gesture. Result: The MIS is a semi-structured clinician-report interview. The interview is composed of seven areas and 14 sub-areas, evaluated on a four-point Likert scale: illness motivated attempts area, chronic presence of internal pessimistic criticism area, sense of defeat and entrapment area, relational area, external motivated crisis area, extreme and unusual cases area, and lack of control area. Conclusions: The path followed in the creation of the MIS reflects both an empirically orientated and a clinically informed approach. Creating this MIS is the first step within a wider research project that will allow one to test the reliability of the instrument

Medical emergency · Poison control · Qualitative research · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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