Suicidal thoughts in schizophrenia may not be linked with social interaction quantity, but rather with bad expectations about social interaction quality, along with an aversion to being alone, according to a study involving 93 individuals.

All participants had schizophrenia, 18 with and 75 without suicidal thoughts. Investigators monitored activity via mobile devices, looking at the quantity of social interactions and comments about them, as well as the affect these interactions had on symptoms. Among the results:

• The presence of suicidal ideation was linked with the anticipation of being alone, as well as greater negative and lower positive affect when alone.

• Even though these individuals did not want to be alone, they felt negatively about the value of past and future interactions.

The authors noted that cognitive therapy that addresses negative expectations and pleasure about social interactions when alone might reduce suicidal thoughts in such patients.

Citation: Depp C, Moore R, Perivoliotis D, Holden J, Swendsen J, Granholm E. Social behavior, interaction appraisals, and suicidal ideation in schizophrenia: The dangers of being alone. [Published online ahead of print March 2, 2016]. Schizophr Res. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2016.02.028.