Exploring the Role of Perspective, Here-and-Nowness, and Emotional Intensity in Intrusive Suicidal Mental Imagery

Abstract

Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, with an average of more than five people dying by suicide daily in the Netherlands. Suicidal mental imagery plays a significant role in suicidal ideation, yet research on the specific characteristics of these images and their relationship to suicidal ideation is limited. This thesis is, to our knowledge, the first to examine the relationship between the perspective of suicidal mental imagery and suicidal ideation, while considering the mediating role of here-and-nowness and emotional intensity. A cross-sectional study with a serial mediation model was conducted using data from the Simagery project, which included 177 Dutch psychiatric outpatients with elevated depressive symptoms and distressing suicidal intrusions. Participants completed the Intrusion Interview and the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale. Contrary to expectations, no significant effect was found between the perspective of suicidal mental imagery and suicidal ideation. Secondary findings revealed that here-and-nowness was positively associated with the emotional intensity of suicidal imagery and suicidal ideation. This thesis underscores the role of here-and-nowness in suicidal mental imagery and suggests that the relationship between perspective in suicidal imagery and suicidal ideation is complex, warranting future research.