ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

心理科学进展 ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (12): 2067-2090.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2024.02067

• 研究方法 • 上一篇    下一篇

生态瞬时评估在自杀研究中的应用

吴才智1#, 贠芸1,2#, 肖志华1,3, 周忠英1,4, 童婷1,5, 任志洪1   

  1. 1青少年网络心理与行为教育部重点实验室, 人的发展与心理健康湖北省重点实验室, 华中师范大学心理学院, 武汉 430079;
    2郑州商学院心理健康教育中心, 郑州 450000;
    3四川警察学院学生心理健康教育与咨询中心, 泸州 646000;
    4武汉体育学院大学生心理健康教育中心, 武汉 430074;
    5华中师范大学第一附属中学初中部, 武汉 430070
  • 收稿日期:2024-04-08 出版日期:2024-12-15 发布日期:2024-09-24
  • 通讯作者: 贠芸, E-mail: psyyunyun@mails.ccnu.edu.cn
  • 作者简介:# 共同第一作者。
  • 基金资助:
    * 国家社会科学基金重大项目(22&ZD187)资助

The application of ecological momentary assessment in suicide research

WU Caizhi1, YUN Yun1,2, XIAO Zhihua1,3, ZHOU Zhongying1,4, TONG Ting1,5, REN Zhihong1   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China;
    2 Centre for Mental Health Education, Zhengzhou Business University, Zhengzhou 450000, China;
    3 Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Sichuan Police College, Luzhou, 646000, China;
    4 Centre for Mental Health Education, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430074, China;
    5 NO.1 Middle School Affiliated to Central China Normal University Wuhan 430070, China
  • Received:2024-04-08 Online:2024-12-15 Published:2024-09-24

摘要: 生态瞬时评估作为一种数据采集方法, 通过使用智能手机等设备, 实时监测被试的自杀意念、情绪状态和行为, 捕捉其在不同时间和环境下的变化, 在自杀研究领域中发挥着重要作用。生态瞬时评估采用事件相关设计、时间相关设计或混合设计收集数据, 适用于不同来源与年龄的样本, 具有较高的生态效度, 能够有效减少被试的回忆偏差和主观解释。以往研究证明, 在自杀领域开展生态瞬时评估研究不仅是可行的而且是安全的。生态瞬时评估证实了自杀危险的短期变异性, 改善了对自杀危险性及其近端因素的理解。未来除了加强本土化研究、关注数据的隐私保护外, 还需要结合数字技术和人工智能开展自杀危险性动态监测的生态瞬时评估研究, 进一步提高理解、预测和预防自杀的能力。

关键词: 生态瞬时评估, 自杀, 危险因素, 可行性, 安全性

Abstract:

Over the past 20 years, the application of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in suicide research has grown exponentially, attracting significant interest from mental health professionals and clinical psychologists. EMA serves as a valuable data collection method in suicide research, utilizing technologies such as smartphones to monitor participants' real-time suicidal ideation, emotional states, and behaviors. This allows for a more fine-grained measurement in suicide risk (within hours) and effectively predicts short-term changes in suicidal ideation and behavior, playing a crucial role in the field of suicide research.

The research design influences researchers' ability to effectively observe variables and accurately capture changes in suicide risk and related factors. Generally, In terms of study design, EMA employs event-contingent, time-contingent, or hybrid designs for data collection. To thoroughly understand the trends in suicidal ideation at different times, researchers may prioritize time-contingent designs to capture the dynamic characteristics of suicide risk. To examine temporal trends along with the specific contexts and influencing factors at the time of events, a hybrid design that combines time-contingent and event-contingent approaches can effectively reveal the mechanisms underlying suicidal behavior.

EMA is suitable for both clinical and community populations, primarily focusing on adults, with limited research on adolescents and the elderly. Future EMA studies on suicide should emphasize demographic diversity while also considering mental health diagnoses and suicide-related features to identify daily risk factors for specific populations. By examining the trajectories of suicidal ideation and their links to future suicide tendencies among clinical patients with various mental disorders, researchers can identify key predictive factors for suicidal behavior.(77)In EMA suicide research among adolescents, daily diaries can reveal the trajectories of suicidal thoughts and behaviors during acute risk periods, capturing daily fluctuations in suicide risk. To explore the triggers of adolescent suicide-related events and variations in suicidal thoughts, it is crucial to enhance communication with schools and parents, coordinate adolescents' access to electronic devices, and address concerns about EMA participation. Additionally, to reduce technological challenges for older adults, wearable technology can unobtrusively collect continuous data on physiological, sleep, and activity levels, enabling real-time monitoring of suicide risk in this population.

The application of EMA in suicide research requires careful consideration of feasibility. Compliance range from 44 to 90%, influenced by factors such as questionnaire length, assessment frequency, incentives, and the severity of suicidal ideation, which does not significantly affect compliance. Researchers can enhance feasibility by prioritizing frequent, brief assessments or using single-item indicators, adjusting the wording of questions, setting assessment prompts, and shortening prompt intervals. Developing a sampling schedule that balances time coverage with participant burden and using personalized feedback as alternative incentives can improve compliance and ensure the feasibility of EMA in suicide research.

Safety is another critical consideration in EMA suicide research. While studies show no significant negative effects of EMA on individuals in short-term or long-term assessments, rigorous review by institutional review boards (IRBs) is still necessary. This review should address safety, privacy issues, and assess the crisis management and referral capabilities of the research team to ensure proper responses to potential crises. For safety management, researchers should conduct real-time reviews of participant data, especially regarding "high-risk" responses, and promptly contact participants for suicide risk assessment and intervention. To maximize benefits, researchers can implement a combination of preventive, staff-led, and supportive strategies as part of their safety management measures.

To enhance short-term predictions of suicide risk, EMA should adopt innovative methods and technologies, utilizing digital technology and artificial intelligence for improved predictive capabilities. Additionally, it is crucial to address the legal and ethical issues related to EMA data in suicide research and to conduct localized studies within the context of Chinese culture.

Key words: ecological momentary assessment, suicide, risk factors, feasibility, safety

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