Abstract
A sample of 189 depressed patients, previously studied in detail, was followed up 10 months after initial treatment contact. Thirteen of these individuals had made suicide attempts, one fatally, during the period. Sociodemographic variables, previous history, personality dimensions, and symptom ratings were analyzed in order to explore predictors of suicide attempts. Persons who made suicide attempts during the follow-up period were significantly differentiated from the nonattempters by a number of variables. Attempters were younger, had a previous history of suicide attempts, evidence of underlying personality disturbance suggestive of character disorder, and a clinical pattern of neurotic rather than endogenous depression. They showed striking evidence of persistent overt hostility. These findings are consistent with other descriptions of groups of suicide attempters among general populations. Because their hostility may lead them to drop out of treatment, attention to follow-up care after the resolution of the immediate depressive episode is especially important for such patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
