Citation

Menon V, Sarkar S, Kattimani S, Mathan K. Indian J. Psychol. Med. 2015; 37(4): 393-398.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Indian Psychiatric Society, South Zone, Publisher Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/0253-7176.168563

PMID

26702169

PMCID

PMC4676203

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association of personality traits with intent in attempted suicide. AIMS: Our objectives were to assess the levels of selected personality factors among suicide attempters and to examine their association with suicide intent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chart review of 156 consecutive suicide attempters was carried out. All participants were administered the Beck Suicide Intent Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and Past Feelings and Acts of Violence Scale to assess suicide intent, trait impulsivity, hostility-aggression, and violence, respectively. Pearson's product moment correlation was the used as the test of association. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify predictors of suicide intent.

RESULTS: Suicide intent was significantly correlated with verbal aggression (Pearson r = 0.90, P = 0.030), hostility (Pearson r = 0.316, P < 0.001), and nonplanning impulsivity (r = -0.174, P = 0.049). High hostility and low motor impulsivity emerged as significant predictors of suicide intent.

CONCLUSION: Personality traits such as hostility and to an extent, impulsivity are accurate predictors of intentionality in attempted suicide. Clinicians should focus on these personality attributes during a routine evaluation of suicide attempters. They can also be considered as potential targets for suicide prevention programs.

Language: en