The Mirror Tracing Persistence Task: An Indicator of Future Adolescent Suicide Risk?

Given limitations of self-reported suicide risk, task-based measures may improve prediction. This study examined whether intensity of emotional responses (i.e., emotion reactivity) and distress tolerance during the Mirror Tracing Persistence Task-Computerized Version (MTPT-C) predicted self-harm, suicidal ideation (SI), and depression severity over 12 months among 102 adolescents with histories of recurrent self-harm. Reduced negative emotion reactivity predicted greater self-harm, SI, and depression severity. Positive emotion reactivity and distress tolerance were not significant predictors. Among high-risk adolescents, reduced negative emotion reactivity, assessed in vivo using the MTPT-C, may be useful in predicting self-harm, SI, and depression severity over the next year.