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World J Psychiatry. Mar 19, 2026; 16(3): 113825
Published online Mar 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.113825
Published online Mar 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.113825
Implicit cognition tests for the prediction of suicide risk of non-suicidal self-injury in individuals: A systematic review
Ya-Juan Ji, Qi Zheng, Qi Liu, Chen-Yun Zhang, Tian-Tian Zhang, Department of Psychiatry, Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen 361012, Fujian Province, China
Xin-Chao Chen, Department of Psychology, Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen 361012, Fujian Province, China
Ling-Jiang Li, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
Co-first authors: Ya-Juan Ji and Xin-Chao Chen.
Author contributions: Ji YJ and Chen XC wrote the original draft, they contributed equally as co-first authors; Ji YJ and Zheng Q designed the research study; Ji YJ, Zheng Q, and Liu Q collected and interpreted data; Ji YJ, Zhang CY, and Zhang TT analyzed data; Li LJ reviewed and edited the manuscript; and all authors have read and agreed with the final manuscript for submission.
Supported by Fujian Provincial Health and Family Planning Youth Scientific Research Project, No. 2021QNB027; and Guiding Project for Medical and Health Care of Xiamen City, No. 3502Z20209245.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Ling-Jiang Li, MD, Professor, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China. llj2920@csu.edu.cn
Received: September 5, 2025
Revised: October 14, 2025
Accepted: December 2, 2025
Published online: March 19, 2026
Processing time: 175 Days and 23.4 Hours
Revised: October 14, 2025
Accepted: December 2, 2025
Published online: March 19, 2026
Processing time: 175 Days and 23.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This systematic review explores the validity and reliability of implicit measures for suicide risk assessment (a clinical challenge). From 189 initial articles, 9 were included. The Death/Suicide Implicit Association Test and Suicide Stroop task were common tools. Results showed these measures are valid for assessing past and future suicidal thoughts/behaviors, with significant retrospective/prospective associations.