Unraveling suicidal experiences: Suicide-Related Outcome Personal History Interview (SOPHI)

Suicide is a worldwide public health issue. Although suicide awareness is a central topic in clinical assessment, there are few qualitative studies exploring this dimension in relation to suicide. To bridge this gap, the present study introduces the Suicide-Related Outcome Personal History Interview, a semistructured clinical interview designed to assess suicide awareness using a multimethod approach. The subjective dimension of the suicidal experience is a key component of clinical assessment, and understanding this aspect is crucial for effective intervention. We administered the interview to a sample of 20 psychiatric patients in treatment, all with a history, current or past, of suicide, and the transcripts were analyzed using T-Lab software. Through Psychodynamic Analysis of Narratives for Multiple Interpretative Levels, four conscious emotional dimensions and three core unconscious emotional dimensions emerged, highlighting the specific aspects involved in the development and treatment of suicidal patients. Moreover, the connection and integration through narrative emerged as core aspects in the treatment process. Overall, these processes provide insights into how individuals experience and unravel their suicidality. The findings emphasize the importance of suicide awareness in psychiatric patients’ experiences, highlighting the need for careful evaluation and targeted interventions. The study underscores how individuals’ subjective awareness of their suicidal thoughts and behaviors can provide valuable insights into their psychological functioning, which is essential for improving treatment strategies and preventing relapses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)