Beck Suicide Research Articles

Maladaptive Personality Traits of Inpatients with Self-Harm Behavior and Its Association with Suicide Intent Severity.

Introduction: Inpatients with self-harm behavior utilize a high proportion of health care resources, and determining their suicide risk may be challenging. This study examines how maladaptive personality traits in people who self-harm are associated with suicide intent severity. Methods: This was a 5-month cross-sectional study. The International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE) ICD-10 questionnaire, Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (SIS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) 21 were administered. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded with STATA version 10.1 for statistical analyses. Results: Thirty-seven out of 40 (92.50%) inpatients participated in this study. About two-thirds (n = 24, 64.86%) were first-time self-harmers, with self-poisoning (n = 33, 89.19%) being the most common method. About two-thirds (n = 24, 64.86%) had low to moderate suicide intent. The most common diagnosis was adjustment disorder (n = 21, 56.76%). Around one-third had at least severe ratings for depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. All screened positive for at least one class of maladaptive personality traits, with the majority (n = 33, 89.19%) having more than one class of maladaptive personality traits. The three most prevalent classes of maladaptive personality traits were anankastic (n = 28, 75.68%), schizoid (n = 25, 67.57%), and paranoid (n = 23, 62.16%). Only dissocial traits were positively correlated with suicide intent severity (regression coefficient = 1.37, p = .017) following adjustment for the most important confounder, DASS 21. Discussion: Maladaptive personality traits were common in inpatients with self-harm behavior, with dissocial traits being positively correlated with suicide intent severity. This finding may inform suicide prevention strategies for patients who self-harm.

The Psychological Impact of Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis During the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic From South East Asian Country.

The present study addressed overcoming the lacunae in the literature of psychiatric manifestations associated with rhino-orbital mucormycosis. The current study aimed to assess the symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, coping measures, suicidal intent, and visual disability in patients of rhino-orbital mucormycosis (ROM) during the epidemic of the disease at the nodal tertiary care center in North India. Fifty-four inpatients of laboratory-proven rhino-orbital mucor-mycosis (ROM)were included for an observational, cross-sectional study at nodal, designated COVID-19, and mucormycosis treating tertiary care hospital. Patients with Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination score <24, prior psychiatric illness, and severely ill requiring ventilator support were excluded. The psychological variables were assessed using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21), Beck's Suicide intent Scale, Coping Scale Questionnaire, and Visual disability scale (IND-VFQ33). Their socioeconomic status was assessed using the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale. Ninety percent of patients with ROM had diabetes mellitus. The majority (44%) of patients belonged to lower socioeconomic strata. Higher frequencies of severe depression (28%), extremely severe anxiety (26%), and mild stress (17%) were noted in the study participants. On the Tukey test, depression score was higher in patients of ROM compared to COVID (with ROM) (p-value= 0.016). On Tukey analysis, anxiety score was significantly higher in ROM patients compared to COVID (with ROM) patients (p-value = 0.018). Coping scores were significantly higher in COVID (with ROM) patients compared to ROM patients (p value = 0.035). Mild to moderate visual disability was noted in the study participants. Conclusion: The current study reflects the association of higher depression and anxiety scores in cases with ROM that indicated higher mental health needs. Early assessment, early detection, and early intervention for psychological help, along with themultidisciplinary team, helped toimprovethe overallpsychological outcome of the affected patients.

Childhood maltreatment increases the suicidal risk in Chinese schizophrenia patients.

ObjectivesChildhood trauma might be a modifiable risk factor among adults with serious mental illness. However, the correlation of child trauma and suicide is unclear, which were cited most frequently as the biggest challenge to schizophrenia (SCZ) patients in China. We aim to study relationships between child trauma and suicide in SCZ patients of different disease stages.MethodsNinety-one participants were included and divided into two groups, namely, first-episode group (n = 46), relapsed group (n = 45). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to evaluate the severity of psychotic symptoms. The Beck's Suicide Intent Scale and The Nurses' Global Assessment of Suicide Risk were conducted by patient self-report to assess suicide symptom. The childhood trauma questionnaire was used to estimate severity of traumatic stress experienced during childhood.ResultsChildhood trauma and different dimensions of suicide were significantly higher in the relapsed group than first-episode group (P < 0.01, respectively). BMI has a significant positive relationship with recent psychosocial stress (β = 0.473, t = 3.521, P < 0.001) in first-episode group. As in relapsed group, BMI has a positive effect between severe mental illness and suicide ideation (β = 0.672, t = 5.949, P < 0.001; β = 0.909, t = 2.463, P < 0.001), Furthermore, emotional neglect presented positively related to the suicide risk and proneness to suicidal behavior (β = 0.618, t = 5.518, P < 0.001; β = 0.809, t = 5.356, P < 0.001).ConclusionRelapsed group of patients had significantly more severe childhood trauma, recent psychosocial stress, suicidal risk and proneness to suicidal behavior. BMI and emotional neglect are unique predictors for different dimensions of suicide.

Suicide means, timing, intent and behavior characteristics of the suicides with schizophrenia

BackgroundStudies have been reported on suicide and schizophrenic suicide, but few compared certain characteristics of suicides with and without schizophrenia. MethodsA sample of 392 suicides was consecutively recruited from 16 counties in three provinces of China. Psychological autopsy method was applied to collect the information through informants. The questionnaire of characteristics for suicidal behavior, Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (SIS), and the DSM-IV based SCID were applied. ResultsAbout 9.7% of the sampled suicides (n = 38) were diagnosed with schizophrenia, and they were more likely to be female and older in age. No significant differences were found on violent suicide means, but significant differences within non-violent means between two groups. Schizophrenic suicide was more likely to happen in the second quarter of the year (April – June), middle of the month (11th-20th), and in the afternoon (3:01 pm – 6:00 pm). The schizophrenic suicides had higher suicide intent than those without schizophrenia and were more inclined to be isolated, more likely to tell people their suicide intent, and less likely to prepare posthumous papers. ConclusionSchizophrenic suicides have unique characteristics, and targeted preventive measures should be taken to prevent schizophrenic suicides. To accurately identify characteristics of suicide behavior is meaningful to prevent schizophrenic suicides in clinical practice.

A Comparative study of impulsivity, lethality and intent among patients attempting suicide by self-immolation and poisoning

Background: Suicide is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the world as well as India. Poisoning is one of the most common modes of attempting suicide. Self-immolation is a devastating form of suicide attempt. Impulsivity has been demonstrated as an important risk factor for suicide. Lethality and intent were found to be interrelated in previous studies. But a comparative study of impulsivity, lethality and intent between self-immolation and poisoning was not found in a literature search. Objectives: To compare socio-demographic characteristics, impulsivity, intent and lethality in those who attempt suicide by self-immolation and poisoning. To find the intercorrelations between intent, impulsivity and lethality. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was done among persons attempting suicide by self-immolation (n=40) and poisoning (n=50). Barratt's impulsivity scale, Smith's LSARS (lethality of suicide attempt rating scale) and Beck's suicide intent scale were used to assess impulsivity, lethality and intent, respectively. Percentages, mean, median and range were used to describe the data. Chi-square test, t-test and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results and discussion: There were significant associations between occupation, family income and socioeconomic status and mode of suicide attempt. Lethality was higher in self-immolation. Lethality and intent were significantly intercorrelated in both groups. Impulsivity and lethality were negatively correlated in the self-immolation group. Conclusion: Self-immolation is a highly lethal method of attempting suicide. Highly lethal suicide attempts have high intent. Greater the impulsivity, less lethal the attempt is likely to be.

Sociodemographic profile and intention of deliberate self-harm among patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Introduction: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is an act with nonfatal outcome, in which an individual deliberately initiates a nonhabitual behavior that, without intervention from others, will cause self-harm, or deliberately ingests a substance in excess of prescribed or generally recognized therapeutic dosage. Here, the objective of the present study was to demonstrate the sociodemographic profile and intention of DSH in our context. Methods: This prospective observational study was done during 1 year. A total of 51 cases were recruited. Sociodemographic data were collected and intension to DSH was assessed using Beck's Suicide Intent Scale. All patients were followed up until discharge, and data were analyzed using the SPSS-20. Results: Among all 51 cases female were the most common 48 (94.1%), Muslims were more 41 (80.4%), 31 (60.8%) were from urban origin, most were homemaker, 20 (39.2%) were single, 16 (31.4%) were poor, and most were at age group

A study of psychosocial factors in attempted suicides attending a tertiary care hospital in Kanchipuram, South India

Introduction: Suicide attempt is a self-injurious behavior with a non-fatal outcome. An insight into psychosocial factors and methods used can be used to device effective preventive strategies. Aims: The aim is to study the psycho-social factors and to find the frequency of different methods used in attempted suicides. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based analysis of attempted suicides. 44 consecutive attempted suicides admitted in the emergency ward and referred to the Psychiatry department were taken into the study. A Semi-structured intake Performa consisting of socio-demographic data, detailed history of current suicide attempt, and access to means were noted. MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview), Hamilton Depression rating scale, Beck's suicide intent scale, and Barratt's impulsiveness scale were used to screen the patients. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: In the study it was found that majority of people who attempted suicide were of young age, females, married, fully employed, belonged to class IV socioeconomic status and attempts were made equally during day and night. The most common method was drug-overdose followed by poisoning with Organo-Phosphorous compounds. Mental illness was found only in 34% individuals, of which most common was depression. And one-fourth of the individuals had contact with General Practitioner within one month of the suicide attempt. Conclusion: The need for psycho-education and social skills training in adolescents and young adults is implicated in the study. Awareness among the general physicians about suicide prevention would help in bringing down the number of attempts as would strict control of, over the counter drugs and storage of organo-phosphorous compounds. Keywords: Suicide, Methods, Depression, Drug overdose.

Suicidal intent in people with major depression

BackgroundDepression is most common underlying contributor among cases of attempted/completed suicide. There is dearth of information regarding suicidal intent among people with depression and its relationship with hopelessness among Indians.ObjectiveTo evaluate and describe the intent of suicide in people with depression among north Indian population.MethodsThis cross-sectional single point, study was performed at the department of psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. Cases were in the age group of 18–60 years with major depressive disorder as per DSM-IV TR criteria. Following tools e.g. Hamilton depression rating scale (HRS), Beck's hopelessness scale (BHS) and suicide intent questionnaire (SIQ) were used for assessment.ResultsSuicidal intent was observed among 68.1% (n = 49) of study sample (n = 72). There was no significant (P &gt; 0.05) association of suicidal intent with socio-demographic factors except domicile status. Suicidal intent was common among people with moderate to severe depression and those with hopelessness. The hopelessness was present among 70.8% of subjects.ConclusionSuicidal intent is prevalent among people with major depression. Intervention at initial stage of suicidal intention would of importance for successful preventive measure. This emphasizes the need for evaluation of suicidal intent in cases of depression.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

La faible estime de soi est corrélée à l’intentionnalité suicidaire, indépendamment de la sévérité de la dépression

IntroductionSuicide is a major Public Health concern, and low self-esteem might represent a major risk factor. Our main objective was to assess the correlation between self-esteem and suicide intent. More specifically, we aimed to examine the relationship between the different dimensions of self-esteem (total, general, familial, professional and social) and suicide intent. We also sought the role of depression in the relationship of self-esteem to suicide intent. MethodThis retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a suicide prevention department at the CMME (Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France). We included patients aged 15 and older and admitted for suicide attempt over a 3-year period from January 2008 to December 2010. Self-esteem was assessed with the Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) scale that takes into account several domains of self-esteem. Subjects scoring over 5 points on the lie scale were excluded. Our primary endpoint was the correlation between self-esteem and suicide intent. Our secondary endpoint was the same correlation adjusted for depression severity (using the Hamilton scale). Suicide intent was estimated using Beck's Suicide Intentionality Scale (SIS). We examined the Pearson's correlation coefficients between self-esteem and suicide intent. These analyses were adjusted for the severity of depressive symptoms assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17 items). ResultsOverall, 132 patients were included. Suicide intent was correlated with total self-esteem (r=−0.227, P=0.009), social self-esteem (r=−0.331, P<0.001) and familial self-esteem (r=−0.260, P=0.003). These results remained significant after adjusting for the level of depression for total score (r=−0.181, P=0.038), and the social (r=−0.282, P=0.001) and familial (r=−0.237, P=0.006) dimensions. ConclusionSelf-esteem (and especially social and familial dimensions) is likely to be associated with suicide intent, at least in part independently of the severity of depression, in a population of subjects hospitalized for suicide attempt. This correlation was strongest with social self-esteem. The main limitation of this monocentric study is the lack of representative sample. Nevertheless, this result paves the way for future strategies of suicide prevention, especially those dealing with poor self-esteem.

Profile of Young Suicide Attempt Survivors in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry.

Context:Puducherry has the highest suicide prevalence rate in India by 2014, predominantly among the 14–30 years age group.Aims:The aim of the present study is to study the characteristics of adolescent and youth suicide attempters in Puducherry and measure the suicide intent.Settings and Design:An observational study of 6 months duration was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India.Materials and Methods:Modified version of World Health Organizations SUicide PREvention Multisite Intervention Study on Suicidal questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and Beck's suicide intent scale was used to measure the suicide intent scores. International Classification of Diseases-10 was used for diagnosis.Statistical Analysis:Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 13 was used for descriptive analysis and correlation statistics. P value was set as <0.05.Results:Of 56 eligible participants, 40 formed the sample, their mean age was 18. 13 (±2.50), more females (1.1:1), rural, literate, lower socioeconomic status (67.5%), mostly single (90%), living in nuclear (95%), and Hindu (87.5%). One hundred percent had psychosocial stressors before suicide attempt. Acute stress disorder/adjustment disorder was the most common diagnosis. Emotionally unstable and anankastic personality traits were seen in 12%. Pesticide ingestion (45%) was the most common suicide method. Sixty percent attempted suicide within <30 min of suicidal contemplation. Statistical associations were found between the alleged purpose, seriousness, attitude toward living/dying, conception about medical rescuability, and the overall suicide intent.Conclusions:Adolescent and youth suicide attempts occur due to psychosocial stressors rather than due to the past or on-going mental health disorders with above personality traits suggest poor coping skills and resilience taken to deal with stressful situations by younger people.

Sleep disturbance as a proximal predictor of suicidal intent in recently hospitalized attempters

ObjectivesInsomnia and short self-reported sleep duration are associated with suicidality, adjusting for concurrent depression. Yet, it is unknown whether they correlate with attempters' suicidal intent and the lethality of suicidal acts. This cross-sectional study in hospitalized suicide attempters aimed to investigate whether temporally proximal self-reported sleep disturbance predicts suicidal intent or exerts mediatory effects. MethodsAttempters were retrospectively assessed for insomnia severity (Athens Insomnia Scale [AIS]) and average night sleep duration (ANSD) for 2 weeks preceding attempt. The effects of insomnia or ANSD on suicidal intent (Beck's Suicide Intent Scale [BSIS]) were explored in multiple regressions. Mediatory effects were investigated in structural equation models (SEMs). ResultsA total of 127 adults (59.8% females) were interviewed within two weeks post–suicide attempt. Major psychiatric diagnoses included affective, psychotic, and alcohol-related disorders. Of the participants, 38.6% had current major depression (MDE). A total of 62.2% reported insomnia (AIS ≥ 6); 42.5% reported short ANSD (≤5 hours). BSIS was predicted by AIS (p = 0.034), short ANSD (p = 0.015), or insomnia with short ANSD (p = 0.006). In SEMs, indirect effects of current MDE, affective disorder, and alcohol-related disorder diagnoses on BSIS via AIS tested significant; both AIS and short ANSD partially mediated the effect of age on BSIS. ConclusionInsomnia, short ANSD, and, in particular, insomnia with short ANSD proximally predicted suicidal intent in recent attempters. The effects of current depression and affective and alcohol-related disorder diagnoses on suicidal intent were partially mediated by insomnia; both insomnia and short ANSD partially mediated the effect of age on suicidal intent. Therefore, management of sleep disturbance in at-risk subjects is important, as it may reduce unfavorable outcomes of suicidal acts.

Risk among Combat Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on the Escalation of Suicidal Risk

The purpose of this study was to (a) evaluate the influence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other comorbid disorders on suicidal risk among combat veterans and (b) evaluate the impact of psychosocial factors on the escalation of suicidal risk. Data were gathered from a random and representative sample of 215 Kosovo War veterans. Subjects were assessed for the presence of lifetime and current psychiatric disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Revision (DSM-IV TR) using the following questionnaires: Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS). Suicidal ideations were observed in 44 (20.5%) of the 215 subjects. High suicide risk was found in 31.8% veterans diagnosed with PTSD and comorbid major depressive disorder. In addition, high suicide risk was also observed in the group of unemployed veterans, veterans dissatisfied with social/economic attainment and veterans dissatisfied with living conditions. Our study showed that socioeconomic factors contributes to the deterioration of symptoms of major depression, PTSD and other comorbid disorders, with a direct impact of worsening suicidal ideations and suicidal behavior among war veterans.

Temperament Profile Interacts with Proximal Sleep Disturbance in Predicting Suicidal Intent

Introduction Cyclothymic-depressive-anxious-irritable (CDAI) temperament has been linked to increased suicidal risk. Sleep disturbance and short self-reported sleep duration have been associated with suicidal ideation and behavior independently of a current major depressive episode (MDE). Objectives This cross-sectional study in consecutive hospitalized suicide attempters aimed to investigate the interplay of temperament with proximal sleep disturbance in predicting suicide intent. Methods Depression severity was measured with Major Depression Inventory, whereby DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of current MDE was derived. Temporally proximal sleep disturbance (during ≥2 weeks preceding the attempt) was assessed with Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS); average night sleep duration (ANSD) was also self-reported. Suicidal intent was recorded with Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS). Attempters’ temperament profile was investigated with TEMPS-A self-report questionnaire. A two-step cluster analysis of TEMPS-A subscales mean scores was performed. BSIS was sequentially regressed on AIS and ANSD along with their interactions with temperament clusters after adjusting for clinicodemographic variables and current MDE. Results 114 subjects (57.9% females), aged 16-87 (44.1±17.7) years were included. 50% reported previous attempts. 38.6% were currently depressed. 62.3% suffered from insomnia (AIS score ≥6); 42.1% slept ≤5 hours per night on average. Cluster analysis identified a CDAI group and a non-CDAI one. In multiple regressions, BSIS was independently associated with current MDE, CDAI temperament profile, AIS (beta=0.43, p=0.004) and ANSD (beta=-0.40, p=0.002). Significant interactions of temperament cluster with AIS (p=0.017) and ANSD (p=0.011) were recorded. Conclusions Temperament profile interacts with proximal insomnia and short self-reported sleep duration in predicting suicidal intent in recent attempters.

Risk factors for suicidal attempts among lower socioeconomic rural population of telangana region.

Background:Suicide is an act of intentionally causing one's own death. Number of suicidal incidences is proportional to attempted suicide cases hence if attempt cases are reduced, number of suicidal death can also be decreased and for that purpose risk factors should be identified and reduced. Therefore, this study is planned to identify risk factors among lower socioeconomic rural population of surrounding areas of Hyderabad in India.Materials and Methods:This was a prospective study in which all the suicide attempt cases reported at Bhaskar Medical College and General Hospital were included. The study period was from January 2013 to July 2013. They were undergone a detailed psychiatric interview, including their demographic details, and complete suicide risk assessment was done using Beck's suicide intent scale.Results:It was found that females in the age group of 20-30 years, uneducated, married and daily laborers by occupation had higher incidence of suicidal attempts. Depressive disorder is the most common associated psychiatric disorder in both the genders, followed by alcohol use related problems. Family disputes are the other major risk factors. Most common mode for attempt was organophosphorous poisoning followed by ingestion of calotropis.Conclusion:Risk of suicide attempt is almost equal in terms of medium and high category of suicide assessment scale in both genders. We suggest that all individuals with alcohol related disorders must be screened for suicidal ideation so that appropriate methods can be adopted to reduce the risk.

Evaluation of anxiety, depression and suicidal intent in undergraduate dental students: A cross-sectional study.

Background:There is an increasing amount of stress in undergraduate dental students leading to anxiety, depression, and suicidal attempts/suicide.Aims:This study aims to evaluate anxiety, depression and suicidal intent in undergraduate dental students and to find out the various areas of stress.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire (to assess academic and nonacademic areas of stress) and three scales-Hamilton scale for anxiety (HAM-A); Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) and Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSI). Descriptive statistics; Pearson's Chi-square test; Multiple ANOVA; Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney test were used to analyze the data at the significant level of P ≤ 0.05.Results:In a total of 258 dental undergraduate students, academic areas of stress that were found to be statistically significant were long teaching hours (P = 0.002); high workload (P ≤ 0.001); frequency of tests (P ≤ 0.001) and competition/fear of failure (P = 0.009). Lack of interest in the profession was a statistically significant nonacademic area for stress (P ≤ 0.001). The students of first and final year reported higher anxiety (HAM-A 13.93 ± 6.908 and 16.44 ± 7.637 respectively) and depression (HDRS 14.29 ± 6.302 and 14.22 ± 5.422); whereas suicidal intent was reported almost the same throughout the study sample (BSI 5.65 ± 5.465).Conclusion:An increasing level of anxiety, depression and suicidal intent due to various stressors in undergraduate dental students indicate a need to modify current education system and timely help to have psychological healthy dental professionals in future.

Characteristics of Chinese rural young suicides: Who did not have a strong intent to die

BackgroundIn exploration of the risk factors of the Chinese rural young suicide, previous researchers found low prevalence of mental problems, high degree of impulsivity, and great proportion of lethal pesticide consumption. It noticed that some of the young suicides in rural China did not intend to die from the suicidal behavior which was only instrumentally used for certain gains. AimsThis study aims to look into the characteristics of those young suicides who did not really intend to die and compare them with those young suicides who had a strong intent to die. MethodsSubjects were 386 suicides aged 15–34years in the rural areas of three provinces in China. The data were obtained by psychological autopsy method. The degree of suicidal intent of the subjects was evaluated by the first 8 items of Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). ResultsIt was found that those suicides that had a strong intent of death were more likely to have higher age, more years of education, live alone, and suffer mental disease. On the other hand, the low intent suicides were more likely to have pesticides at home and to be impulsive. In other words, pesticides and impulsivity killed some Chinese rural young men and women who did not really want to die by suicide. ConclusionFindings of the study may be translated into practical measures in suicide prevention in China as well as elsewhere in the world.

Predicting addiction potential on the basis of early traumatic events, dissociative experiences, and suicide ideation.

Background:There is a great deal of medical literature suggesting that substance use disorder is a serious clinical concern, affecting general population and associated with considerable economic, societal, and personal costs.Objectives:This study sought to clarify the relationship between early trauma, dissociative experience, and suicide ideation as predictive factors of active and passive addiction potential (A/PAP) in high-school students.Patients and Methods:Three hundred students with the mean age of 15.72 y were selected via multistage random sampling. All participants were asked to complete Iranian addiction potential scale, early trauma inventory, dissociative experiences scale, and Beck’s suicide ideation scale. Analyzing data was done using canonical correlation.Results:Structural coefficients showed that the pattern of high scores in A/PAP correlates with the pattern of high scores in early trauma, dissociative experience and suicide ideation. The findings of the study showed that the combination of low A/PAP can probably decrease the likelihood of early trauma, dissociative experience and suicide ideation.Conclusions:Early trauma, dissociative experience, and suicide ideation can predict A/PAP and explain the considerable variance of survival index.

EPA-0768 – Validation of the personality and life event (PLE) scale in a spanish population

Introduction There is a lack of accurate screening tools for suicide risk in the patients presenting to emergency departments. The Personality and Life Event (PLE) Scale, a set of the 27 most discriminative items from a collection of questionnaires usually employed in the assessment of suicidal behavior, demostrated an elevated accuracy, sensibility, and specificity in classifying suicide attempters. Objectives To validate the self-administered PLE Scale. Material and methods In order to examine its psychometric properties, the PLE scale was administered to 59 suicide attempters, 48 psychiatric controls, and 69 medical patients attending the Puerta de Hierro emergency department. To examine its reliability, we used: 1) Cronbach's coefficient α to evaluate the internal consistency; 2) test-retest reliability to assess if the scale is stable over time. Interrater reliability is not relevant as the PLE is a self-report. To assess its construct validity, we used some of Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). All analyses were carried out using SPSS v.20 (Macintosh). Results The most frequent criteria for suicide attempters were item 4 (‘I often feel empty inside’; 88.1%) and 20 (‘I act on impulse’; 79,7%). Mean (± SD) of the PLE Scale in suicide attempters, psychiatric controls, and medical controls was 74.49 (± 32.44), 57.19 (± 29.63), and 17.48 (± 21.15), respectively. The PLE had an acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha =0,674). Conclusions Our preliminary findings support the reliability, construct validity, and ussefulness of the PLE to identify suicide attempters to those attending to emergency departments.

Scientific Letter: High-intent suicide and the Beck’s Suicide Intent scale: a case report

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Some acts of suicide are recognized as impulsive (low-planned) behavior; while others are characterized by having signs of serious and planning (intermediate or high-planned) acts. Women and younger individuals are more likely to carry out and intermediate-planned than high-planned acts of suicide. The Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) is a semi-structured, interviewer administered assessment scale consisting of 15 items. The scale consists of 2 sections, the first of which is objective, and in the second section, subjective characteristics of the suicide attempt are evaluated. SIS scores obtained are classified as: 10 points low- intent, 10-15 points intermediate- intent, and >15 points high- intent suicides.

Studying survivors of near-lethal suicide attempts as a proxy for completed suicide in prisons

Suicides in prisons are common. There is a pressing need to understand more about the causes and prevention of prisoner suicides. A particularly informative approach is through studying survivors of near-lethal suicide attempts. However, the extent to which this approach is a good proxy for completed suicide requires verification. In this article we aimed to assess (1) the extent to which male and female prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts in prison are similar to prisoners who die by suicide; (2) the suicidal intent of those making near-lethal suicide attempts; and (3) the applicability of the Suicide Intent Scale in prisons. Survivors of near-lethal suicide attempts and prisoners who died by suicide were compared on sociodemographic and criminological characteristics. The suicidal intent of prisoners engaging in near-lethal self-harm was assessed using Beck's Suicide Intent Scale. There were no significant differences when the sociodemographic and criminological profiles of prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts and those who died by suicide were compared, except that male prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts were somewhat younger. Most prisoners carrying out near-lethal acts had high suicidal intent. However, some questions in the Suicide Intent Scale were inappropriate for assessing intent in prisoners. Prisoners who survive near-lethal self-harm would appear to be a valid proxy for those who die by suicide in prison. The Suicide Intent Scale requires some modifications for use in prisons.