Interpersonal Dependency in Suicide Attempters

Abstract

Background: A high level of interpersonal dependency (IPD) has been reported in suicide attempters, which might be explained by depression levels as well as the high rate of female suicide attempters. Methods: 63 suicide attempters and 63 non-suicide attempters were recruited from a nonpsychiatric sample. The control subjects were individually matched to the patients for gender, age and educational status. The subjects filled out the Beck Depression Inventory and the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (IDI). Analysis of covariance was performed to control the depression level. Results: Suicide attempters had significantly higher scores on the IDI than non-suicide attempters. Conclusion: A high level of IPD is related to suicide risk independently of depression. Limitation: only a prospective study could test the hypothesis that a high level of IPD predisposes an individual to commit suicide. Clinical relevance: IPD must be detected in subjects at risk of suicide.