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The following is a summary of “Interplay between suicidal experiences, psychotic experiences and interpersonal relationships: a qualitative study,” published in the November 2023 issue of Psychiatry by Gooding et al.
Despite the heightened risk of suicidal ideation in non-affective psychosis, the interplay between psychotic experiences, suicidal thoughts, and interpersonal dynamics remains unclear.
Researchers performed a retrospective study to explore the interplay between psychotic experiences, suicidal experiences, and interpersonal relationships in individuals with non-affective psychosis.
They performed an inductive thematic analysis on transcripts from 22 individual, semi-structured interviews with adults who had both non-affective psychosis and recent suicidal experiences. Employing a purposive sampling strategy, trustworthiness was ensured through researcher triangulation in the analysis.
The results showed participants sharing positive and negative interpersonal relationship experiences. A conceptual model was introduced, illustrating a complex interplay among various suicidal experiences, psychosis, and facets of interpersonal relationships. This interplay was influenced by 3 themes. First, perceptions of not mattering and mattering. Second, becoming disconnected from others, and finally, constraints versus freedom in sharing suicidal and psychotic experiences.
Investigators concluded that interpersonal relationships significantly influence psychotic and suicidal experiences, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions that address mental health and social support.
Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05164-2
