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Clinical applications of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of attempted and completed suicide
Author(s) -
Stellrecht Nadia E.,
Gordon Kathryn H.,
Van Orden Kimberly,
Witte Tracy K.,
Wingate LaRicka R.,
Cukrowicz Kelly C.,
Butler Melanie,
Schmidt Norman B.,
Fitzpatrick Kathleen Kara,
Jr. Thomas E. Joiner
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.20224
Subject(s) - psychology , interpersonal communication , coping (psychology) , psychotherapist , psychological intervention , clinical psychology , cognition , interpersonal relationship , intervention (counseling) , social skills , suicide prevention , poison control , social psychology , psychiatry , medical emergency , medicine
This article reviews the interpersonal‐psychological theory of attempted and completed suicide and describes its applications in suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention, and skills‐based psychotherapies. Three components are necessary, but not sufficient, for an individual to die by suicide: (1) the acquired capability to enact lethal self‐injury, (2) a sense that one is a burden on others, and (3) the sense that one does not belong to a valued social group. We suggest that therapeutic interventions should focus on ascertaining the presence of these components and work to amend the cognitive distortions, negative interpersonal response styles, and ineffective coping behaviors that serve to maintain suicidal urges. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 62: 211–222, 2006.