Ecological Momentary Assessment of Alcohol, Depression, and Suicidal Behavior in Suicidal Individuals: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to monitor the risk of re-attempting suicide through ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of depression and alcohol use in individuals who were at risk of suicide. Individuals at risk of suicide were recruited from a community suicide prevention center. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores, the Korean version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Alcohol Consumption Questions (AUDIT-C), and information about suicidal behaviors were collected using mobile platforms, every week for 4 weeks. Forty-four subjects were included. AUDIT-C and PHQ-9 scores were higher in individuals with self-harm than in those without self-harm. A linear mixed model analysis revealed that the PHQ-9 score showed a significant effect on self-harm ( P = 0.043), while the AUDIT-C score did not show any significant effect. Close observation of depression and alcohol use through EMA is important in monitoring suicide risk due to their significant role in suicidal behavior. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2024;54(3):e94–e99.]