A pilot investigation of the Operationalized Predicaments of Suicide (OPS) Framework

Background: Suicide may be conceptualized as an escape from intolerable predicaments, in particular, mental illness and environmental stressors. The operationalized predicaments of suicide (OPS) is a 4 category framework designed to assist in the classification of suicide. The objective was to examine whether this framework is potentially useful. Method: 18 psychiatrists from 6 different countries examined 12 written coroners’ reports of suicide and rated each report according to the OPS. 16 of these raters then also completed a qualitative questionnaire regarding the framework. Results: In 89.8% of cases the raters where able to make a decision regarding the drivers which led to the suicides. The respondents displayed modest inter-rater correlation (Kappa = 0.42; P < 0.0001). In the qualitative section, respondents supported the face validity of OPS and considered it potentially useful. Feedback allowed improved wording of the OPS instructions. Conclusion: The OPS has potential as a useful framework. The OPS instructions have been improved and further studies are justified.