Suicidality among individuals with a history of criminal behavior : a test of the three step theory of suicide

Abstract

Individuals involved in the criminal justice system (CJS) have higher rates of suicidal ideation than the general population and are at an increased risk of suicide. Assessing suicide risk is challenging, as research indicates that many suicide risk assessments are more predictive of suicidal ideation than suicide attempts. Therefore, there is a need to differentiate individuals who think about suicide from those at risk of attempting suicide. Drawing on a sample of 190 Canadian adults, this study examined an ideation-to-action theory, the Three-Step Theory of Suicide (3ST), among individuals with a history of criminal behavior. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was 82% for individuals with a history of criminal behavior (n = 89), with 23.6% having attempted suicide. Results demonstrated partial support for the 3ST, although the 3ST did not replicate as expected for individuals with a history of criminal behavior. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.