Early-life stressful events and suicide attempt in schizophrenia: Machine learning models

Abstract

Childhood abuse and neglect predicts suicide attempt. Furthermore, other early-life stressful events may predict lifetime suicide attempt in psychiatric disorders. We assessed 189 schizophrenics for suicide attempt and stressful life events. Early-life stressful events were used as predictors of lifetime suicide attempt in three machine learning models. In our sample, 38% of the schizophrenics had at least one suicide attempt lifetime. The machine learning models provided an overall significant prediction (accuracy range: 62–69%). Childhood sexual molestation and mental illness were important predictors of suicide attempt. Early-life stressful events should be included in models aiming at predicting suicide attempt in schizophrenia.