Network Analysis: A Novel Approach to Understand Suicidal Behavior

Derek de Beurs

doi:10.20944/preprints201701.0116.v3

Preprint Article Version 3 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 24 January 2017 / Approved: 25 January 2017 / Online: 25 January 2017 (17:19:48 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 8 February 2017 / Approved: 8 February 2017 / Online: 8 February 2017 (09:39:34 CET)
Version 3 : Received: 11 February 2017 / Approved: 13 February 2017 / Online: 13 February 2017 (11:04:49 CET)

Although suicide is a major public health issue worldwide, we understand little of the onset and development of suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior is argued to be the end result of the complex interaction between psychological, social and biological factors. Epidemiological studies resulted in a range of risk factors for suicidal behavior, but we do not yet understand how their interaction increases the risk for suicidal behavior. A new approach called network analysis can help us better understand this process as it allows to visualize and quantify complex association between many different symptoms or risk factors. A network analysis of data contain information on suicidal patients can help us understand how risk factors interact and how their interaction is related to suicidal thoughts and behaviour. A network perspective has been successfully applied to the field of depression and psychosis, but not yet to the field of suicidology. In this theoretical article, I will introduce the concept of network analysis to the field of suicide prevention, and offer directions for future applications and studies.

suicide; network analysis; symptoms; personalized treatment

Comment 1

Received: 1 March 2017
Commenter: Prof. Ph/D W.L Bastiani
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.

Comment: I show you the differences within human minds

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Network Analysis: A Novel Approach to Understand Suicidal Behavior

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