Lifetime History of Suicide Attempts among Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity State Hospital Inpatients: The Roles of past Harmful Substance Use and Current Social Support

• Published in: International journal of forensic mental health Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 341 - 353
• Main Authors: Mitchell, Sean M., Brown, Sarah L., Scanlon, Faith, Swogger, Marc T., Delgado, Darci, Ventura, Maria I., Bolaños, Angelea D., Morgan, Robert D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA Routledge 01-10-2020; SAGE Publications; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Criminal responsibility; Drug use; Risk assessment; Social interactions; social support; Substance use; suicidal behavior; Suicide; suicide attempt; Suicides & suicide attempts; social support; substance use; suicide attempt; Criminal responsibility; suicidal behavior
• ISSN: 1499-9013; 1932-9903
• DOI: 10.1080/14999013.2020.1775326

This study tested current perceived social support (CPSS) as a moderator of the relation between previous substance use (PSU) and lifetime suicide attempt (SA) history among 200 NGRI inpatients. Results indicated no significant CPSS main effect. PSU was associated with greater odds of multiple prior lifetime SA. Moderation indicated those low in PSU but high in CPSS were least likely to report multiple prior lifetime SA. Conversely, NGRI inpatients with high CPSS and high PSU were most likely to report multiple lifetime SA. Our study suggests CPSS and PSU assessments may inform suicide risk assessments and interventions among NGRI inpatients.