Kohlbeck to Study Potential Misclassification of Traumatic Injuries with Suicidal Intent Through New Faculty Pilot Award

Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and director of the Comprehensive Injury Center’s Division of Suicide Research and Healing, has received a one-year New Faculty Pilot Award totaling $35,000 from the MCW Research Affairs Committee. Kohlbeck’s project titled, “Investigating potential misclassification of traumatic injuries: Are we missing suicide attempts?” will seek to determine whether some traumatic injuries are erroneously classified as unintentional when a person meant to attempt suicide or had a suicidal intent.

Kohlbeck’s study features an innovative approach to identifying suicidality in that it will use culturally appropriate screening tools to determine suicide risk for traumatically injured patients of color, making study results more inclusive of all patients. This is critical because research has shown that potential causes of suicide among people of color may differ from those traditionally identified in white individuals.

For example, experiences of discrimination, racism, and acculturation have been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors among non-white individuals.

Additionally, by using semi-structured interviews, the study will attempt to go beyond the findings of the suicide screening tools to better understand the factors that preceded traumatic injury in non-white patients who screen positive for suicide risk. This is important because it will allow the study team to develop a risk stratification tool that includes patients’ lived experience. Ultimately, developing this type of tool may lead to earlier intervention of all patients who are at risk for suicide.

The MCW Research Affairs Committee New Faculty Pilot Grant provides seed funding to faculty within four years of their first MCW appointment for the initiation of new projects. The primary goal of the award is to help applicants obtain preliminary results that will enable them to compete successfully for extramural funding.

To learn more about Dr. Kohlbeck’s study, please contact skohlbeck@mcw.edu.