Differentiating Single and Multiple Suicide Attempters: What Nightmares Can Tell Us That Other Predictors Cannot

Abstract

Inconsistent with past research, this study showed that nightmare frequency, and not nightmare chronicity or severity/distress, differentiated between single and multiple suicide attempters. This outcome suggests that the number of nightmares experienced may be more pertinent in predicting repeat suicide attempts than their duration or perceived severity. Study limitations include a cross-sectional design, a convenience sampling approach, a lack of control for previous treatment or length of time since last attempt, and a retrospective nightmare measure.

Factors associated with single and multiple suicide attempts in adolescents attending school in Argentina: national cross-sectional survey in 2018

“…We found an association between anxiety-induced sleep disturbance and MSA. Similarly, in a previous study 3 among adults, an association was found between the frequency of nightmares and MSA. Knowledge of the variables that are potentially associated with subsequent suicide attempts can be helpful to healthcare providers, who could detect anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, lack of close friends and loneliness to identify MSA risk.…”

“…Asking about anxiety-induced sleep problems and loneliness may be less threatening than asking about suicidal ideation or intent. 3 Furthermore, low parental support was among girls associated with MSA in this study. In the 2012 GSHS in Argentina, parental support was found to be protective against suicide attempts.…”

“… 2 Little research has been done among adolescents on the differences between those with a single suicide attempt (SSA) and those with multiple suicide attempts (MSA), especially in Latin America. 2 , 3 SSA is an important predictor of MSA, because in most studies 16–34% of subjects have a subsequent suicide attempt within the first 1–2 years after their initial suicide attempt. 4 Therefore, it is of the utmost relevance to determine which factors are associated with MSA.…”

“…4 Therefore, it is of the utmost relevance to determine which factors are associated with MSA. 2 , 3 It has been theorised that the experience of suicide attempt increases the susceptibility of the individual to both MSA and suicide. 5 , 6 This may be because the barrier or taboo against suicide is removed after the initial suicide attempt; thus, individuals may perceive suicide as a more viable option when stressors arise.…”

Identification of gene ontology and pathways implicated in suicide behavior: Systematic review and enrichment analysis of GWAS studies

“…It is known that SB is a complex disorder, which involves many environmental, behavioral, neurobiological, and genetic factors (Gvion & Levi‐Belz, ; Speed, Drapeau, & Nadorff, ). Researchers of suicide behavior are looking for predisposing (distal) and precipitating (proximal) factors (Conejero, Olie, Courtet, & Calati, ; Gerada, ; Gvion & Levi‐Belz, ; Speed et al, ). Besides, there are several biological, genetic, and environmental abnormalities have been reported in SB, but it is not clear which ones are risk factors (Fiori et al, ; Schneider et al, ).…”