Citation

Schwartz RC, Cohen BN. Compr. Psychiatry 2001; 42(2): 118-123.

Affiliation

Department of Counseling and Special Education, University of Akron, 127 Carroll Hall, Akron, OH 44325-5007, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1053/comp.2001.21222

PMID

11244147

Abstract

Suicidal intent is common among patients with schizophrenia, resulting in extreme personal distress, increased hospitalizations and healthcare expenditures, and early mortality. However, the psychosocial correlates of current suicidality among schizophrenic patients are not fully understood. This study attempted to identify psychosocial correlates of current suicidal intent in a sample of 267 patients with schizophrenia. Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between suicidality and current symptomatology, psychosocial problems, global functioning, and demographic characteristics. Results showed that depressive symptomatology as a single variable accounted for approximately 50% of the variance in ratings of suicidal intent. In addition, female gender, younger age, recent traumatic stress, and less severe psychotic symptoms each significantly predicted current suicidality independent of depressive symptoms. The combination of depression among younger female schizophrenic patients whose psychotic symptoms have abated and who are experiencing current traumatic stress may indicate extreme suicidal intent.

Language: en