Abstract
Objective
To compare pre- and posttreatment psychological functioning and patient satisfaction among patients with and without recent suicidal ideation receiving care at a partial hospital program.
Methods
Patients (N = 1295) completed (1) self-report measures of clinical severity, treatment beliefs, and patient satisfaction and (2) a clinician-administered suicidal ideation measure.
Results
At admission, patients with past-month ideation reported more severe psychopathology and functional impairment than those without past-month ideation; however, at discharge, both groups reported comparable psychological functioning. Additionally, although patients with past-month ideation reported lower expectations that treatment would be helpful, both groups ultimately reported comparable satisfaction with services.
Conclusion
Individuals with recent suicidal ideation may present to care with more severe psychopathology and lower treatment expectations yet may experience comparable treatment benefits and report similar satisfaction with services as patients without recent ideation. Research is needed to identify treatment components that drive perceived benefits and symptom reduction among at-risk individuals.