Comparison of selected clinical and personality variables in alcohol–dependent patients with or without a history of suicide attempts

Summary Objective: The aim of the study was to determine differences in the range of socio-demographic variables, selected clinical variables, temperament and character traits, coping with stress strategies and the level of aggression in alcohol addicts with or without a history of suicide attempt(s). Methods: The study involved 90 people addicted to alcohol, treated in inpatient alcohol dependence treatment program. In order to collect data on socio - demographic variables and selected clinical variables, a self-made questionnaire was used. The severity of alcohol dependence was verified using the MAST and SADD scales. Characteristics of temperament and character were examined with the TCI questionnaire. The BPAQ and COPE questionnaires were used to examine the level of aggression and styles of coping with stress. Results:Out of 90 subjects with alcohol dependence syndrom, 20% had attempted suicide in the past. The respondents with a history of suicide attempts were statistically significantly younger, were characterized by a younger age of alcohol drinking initiation and the initiation of regular alcohol drinking, and a greater severity of alcohol dependence in the MAST and SADD scales. A significantly larger percentage of respondents who had attempted suicide inflicted self-injury in the past, used other psychoactive substances as well as hypnotics and sedatives. The subjects with a suicide attempt in the interview obtained statistically significantly higher scores in terms of the level of aggression, harm avoidance and self-directedness, and more often used the style of coping with stress based on avoidance and accepting the situation. Conclusions: The obtained results correspond with data available in the literature and may provide a foundation for theoretical models explaining the phenomenon of suicidal behavior in alcohol addicts as well as for suicide prevention programs in this group of patients.

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Increased risk of attempted suicide in Australian veterans is associated with total and permanent incapacitation, unemployment and posttraumatic stress disorder severity

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867417718945 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (6) ◽

pp. 552-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katelyn Kerr ◽

Madeline Romaniuk ◽

Sarah McLeay ◽

Andrew Khoo ◽

Michael T Dent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Self Report ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

Background: Military veterans have higher rates of suicidality and completed suicides compared to the general population. Previous research has demonstrated suicidal behaviour is higher in US combat veterans who are younger, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and score lower on measures of health. However, research on predictors of suicide for Australian veterans is limited. The aim of this study was to identify significant demographic and psychological differences between veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attempted suicide and those with posttraumatic stress disorder who had not, as well as determine predictors of suicide attempts within an Australian cohort. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 229 ex-service personnel diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attended a Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Program as outpatients at Toowong Private Hospital from 2007 to 2014. Patients completed a battery of mental health self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, anger, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Demographic information and self-reported history of suicide attempts were also recorded. Results: Results indicated the average age was significantly lower, and the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, anger, anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher in those veterans with history of a suicide attempt. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, unemployment or total and permanent incapacity pension status significantly predicted suicide attempt history. Conclusion: Among a cohort of Australian veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathology severity, unemployment and total and permanent incapacity status are significantly associated with suicidality. This study highlights the importance of early identification of posttraumatic stress disorder and psychopathology, therapeutic and social engagement, and prioritisation of tangible employment options or meaningful and goal-directed activities for veterans deemed unable to work.

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Self-image and selected clinical variables in the context of childhood abuse in subjects with alcohol dependence

Current Problems of Psychiatry ◽

10.2478/cpp-2019-0016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Aneta Gerhant ◽

Marcin Olajossy

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Childhood Abuse ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Adjective Check List ◽

Self Image ◽

History Of ◽

Group 2 ◽

Early Trauma ◽

Group 1

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the differences in selected clinical variables and self-image in people with alcohol dependence differing in severity of physical, emotional and sexual abuse experienced before age 18. Method: The study included 90 people with alcohol dependence. The following research tools were used: Early Trauma Inventory (ETI), Adjective Check List (ACL), MAST, SAAD, and a questionnaire designed by the authors. In order to identify groups with varying indices of physical, emotional and sexual childhood abuse, a cluster analysis method was used. Results: Two groups of subjects with alcohol dependence were identified: Group 1 with high indices of physical, emotional and sexual childhood abuse and Group 2 with low indices. In terms of self-image the subjects in Group 1 compared to subjects in Group 2 were characterized by a lower self-esteem, self-acceptance, resistance to stress, less intense needs for achievement, endurance, order, nurturing others, interaction with opposite-sex partners, subordinations but more intense need for change. The age of alcohol use initiation and the onset of regular alcohol drinking was statistically significantly lower in Group 1. The severity of alcohol dependence was significantly lower in Group 2. The subjects in Group 1 significantly more frequently confirmed the history of a hereditary predisposition to alcohol dependence, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and self-harm. Discussion: The obtained results closely correspond to the data available in the literature. Conclusions: An assessment of exposure to various forms of childhood abuse appears to be an indispensable element of collecting medical history of people with alcohol dependence.

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Suicide attempters: Clinical characteristics and management

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2242 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S601-S601

Author(s):

E. Gattoni ◽

A. Feggi ◽

C. Gramaglia ◽

P. Bergamasco ◽

I. Coppola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Suicidal Risk ◽

Suicide Attempters ◽

History Of

BackgroundSuicide attempts, defined as self-inflicted, potentially injurious behaviors with a nonfatal outcome, and with evidence of intent to die are extremely prevalent. Literature suggests that suicide is more common among males, while attempted suicide is more frequent among females. Depression, mental disorders, substance use disorders and history of suicidal behavior are important risk factors for suicide: the risk of suicide attempt is 3 to 12 times higher in psychiatric patients than in the general population.AimThe aim of our study was to compare severity of depressive symptoms in a sample of suicide attempters with a diagnosis of bipolar and related disorders or depressive disorders and in a sample of sex- and diagnosis-matched patients who do not commit a suicide attempt. The severity of attempted suicide and the suicidal risk in the hospital will be assessed as well.Material and methodsWe collected a sample of inpatients who committed a suicide attempt during 2015. For each attempter, we selected another sex- and diagnosis-matched patient with no history of attempted suicide. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the sample were gathered. Assessment included: Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) for severity of depressive symptoms in both groups, Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) for the severity of attempted suicide and the suicidal risk with a nurse assessment for suicide.ResultsData collecting is still ongoing. We expected to find more severe symptoms in patients who attempted suicide. Clinical implication will be discussed.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Clinical Characteristics Associated with Suicide Attempt in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.293 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S94-S94

Author(s):

M.-E.-M. Vismara ◽

B. Dell’Osso ◽

C. Dobrea ◽

L. Cremaschi ◽

G. Benedetta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Variable Effect ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Bipolar Patients

IntroductionBipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic, highly disabling condition, associated with a high burden of morbidity and mortality, often secondary to suicidal behaviors. In previous reports, different variables have been associated with a higher risk of suicidal acts, with variable effect.ObjectivesTo evaluate which socio-demographic and clinical variables correlate with suicide attempts in bipolar patients.AimsTo enrich literature data about suicidal behaviour in BD.MethodsA sample of 362 BD patients (DSM IV-TR) was retrospectively collected and divided in two subgroups, in relation to the presence of a previous suicide attempt. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were compared between attempters and non-attempters using Corrected multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).ResultsA total of 26,2% of analyzed patients attempted suicide in their lifespan, and approximately one third of them had multiple suicide attempts (i.e. ≥ 2; 31%). Depressive polarity at index mood episode, higher number of psychiatric hospitalizations, comorbidity with alcohol abuse, eating disorders and psychiatric poly-comorbidity were significantly associated with suicide attempt. Additionally, treatment with lithium, poly-pharmacotherapy (≥ 4 current drugs) and higher recurrence of psychosocial rehabilitation were significantly more frequent in patients who attempted suicide.ConclusionsThe present paper reported a correlation with some specific clinical variables and the lifetime presence of suicide attempt in patients with BD. Although these retrospective findings did not address the causality issue, they may be of clinical relevance in order to better understand suicidal behavior in BD and to adopt proper strategies to prevent suicide in higher risk patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Analysis of Deliberate Self-Wrist-Cutting Episodes Presenting to the Emergency Department

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000361 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 155-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jin Kim ◽

Han Joon Kim ◽

Soo Hyun Kim ◽

Sang Hoon Oh ◽

Kyu Nam Park

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Medical Records ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Psychiatric Interview ◽

Clinical Variables ◽

Completed Suicide ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Group A ◽

Efficacy Of Treatment

Abstract. Background: Previous suicide attempts increase the risk of a completed suicide. However, a large proportion of patients with deliberate self-wrist cutting (DSWC) are often discharged without undergoing a psychiatric interview. Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the differences in the characteristics and outcomes of patients with DSWC and those with deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) episodes. The results of this study may be used to improve the efficacy of treatment for DSWC patients. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 598 patients with DSWC and DSP who were treated at the emergency department of Seoul Saint Mary's Hospital between 2008 and 2013. We assessed sociodemographic information, clinical variables, the reasons for the suicide attempts, and the severity of the suicide attempts. Results: A total of 141 (23.6%) patients were included in the DSWC group, and 457 (76.4%) were included in the DSP group. A significantly greater number of patients in the DSWC group had previously attempted suicide (p = .014). A total of 63 patients (44.7%) in the DSWC group and 409 patients (89.5%) in the DSP group underwent psychiatric interviews. Conclusion: More DSWC patients had previously attempted suicide, but fewer of them underwent psychiatric interviews compared with the DSP patients.

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Proportion of Individuals With Past-Year Suicidal Ideation Who Attempted Suicide Over the Past 10 Years in the United States, and the Influence of Age and Sex

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000690 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Shannon Lange ◽

Courtney Bagge ◽

Charlotte Probst ◽

Jürgen Rehm

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Random Effects ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

The United States ◽

Individual Level ◽

The Past ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Age Category

Abstract. Background: In recent years, the rate of death by suicide has been increasing disproportionately among females and young adults in the United States. Presumably this trend has been mirrored by the proportion of individuals with suicidal ideation who attempted suicide. Aim: We aimed to investigate whether the proportion of individuals in the United States with suicidal ideation who attempted suicide differed by age and/or sex, and whether this proportion has increased over time. Method: Individual-level data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2008–2017, were used to estimate the year-, age category-, and sex-specific proportion of individuals with past-year suicidal ideation who attempted suicide. We then determined whether this proportion differed by age category, sex, and across years using random-effects meta-regression. Overall, age category- and sex-specific proportions across survey years were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Although the proportion was found to be significantly higher among females and those aged 18–25 years, it had not significantly increased over the past 10 years. Limitations: Data were self-reported and restricted to past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Conclusion: The increase in the death by suicide rate in the United States over the past 10 years was not mirrored by the proportion of individuals with past-year suicidal ideation who attempted suicide during this period.

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Psychological, Structural, Social and Economic Determinants of Suicide Attempt: Risk Assessment and Decision Making Strategies

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.1177/00302228211003462 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003022282110034

Author(s):

Azam Farmani ◽

Mojtaba Rahimianbougar ◽

Yousef Mohammadi ◽

Hossein Faramarzi ◽

Siamak Khodarahimi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Psychological Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Economic Determinants ◽

History Of ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

High Level ◽

Risk Assessment And Management

The aim of this research was to conduct a risk assessment and management of psychological, structural, social and economic determinants (PSSED) in a suicide attempt. The sample consisted of 353 individuals who had a recorded history of suicidal attempt; and 20 professional individuals by purposive sampling method within a descriptive cross-sectional design. Worksheets for RAM and AHP were used for data collection in this study. The rate of suicide attempt was 7.21 per 100,000 population in this study. Analysis showed that depression and mental disorders; personality disorders; family problems; socio-cultural and economic problems; lack of awareness; and low level of education have a high level of risk for suicide attempts. Psychiatric and psychological services; awareness and knowledge of life skills; medical services to dysfunctional families; development of community-based planning for PSSED of suicide; and employment and entrepreneurship services may lower suicide attempt risk.

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Attempted suicide attention at an emergency room: A hospital-based descriptive approach

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2252 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S603-S603

Author(s):

D. Torres ◽

G. Martinez-Ales ◽

M. Quintana ◽

V. Pastor ◽

M.F. Bravo

Keyword(s):

Emergency Room ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Psychiatric Hospitalization ◽

Study Results ◽

History Of ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Reported Data ◽

Medium Cost ◽

Rule Out

IntroductionSuicide causes 1.4% of deaths worldwide. Twenty times more frequent, suicide attempts entail an important source of disability and of psychosocial and medical resources use.ObjectiveTo describe main socio-demographical and psychiatric risk factors of suicide attempters treated in a general hospital's emergency room basis.AimsTo identify individual features potentially useful to improve both emergency treatments and resource investment.MethodsA descriptive study including data from 2894 patients treated in a general hospital's emergency room after a suicidal attempt between years 2006 and 2014.ResultsSixty-nine percent of the population treated after an attempted suicide were women. Mean age was 38 years old. Sixty-six percent had familiar support; 48.5% had previously attempted a suicide (13% did not answer this point); 72.6% showed a personal history of psychiatric illness. Drug use was present in 38.3% of the patients (20.3% did not answer this question); 23.5% were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Medium cost of a psychiatric hospitalization was found to be 4900 euros.ConclusionThis study results agree with previously reported data. Further observational studies are needed in order to bear out these findings, rule out potential confounders and thus infer and quantify causality related to each risk factor.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Risk of suicide after attempted suicide in the population of Slovenia from 1970 to 1996

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.04.006 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 396-400 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Slavko Ziherl ◽

Bojan Zalar

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Frequency Table ◽

Completed Suicide ◽

The Republic ◽

And Gender ◽

Log Linear ◽

Commit Suicide

AbstractObjective:All suicide attempts cannot predict suicide, therefore we examined those characteristics of suicide attempt which could most accurately predict completed suicide.Subject and methods:Subjects were all individuals registered as committed suicides (N = 16,522) or attempted suicides (N = 15,057) in the register of suicides of the Republic of Slovenia between 1970 and 1996. Log linear analysis of a frequency table was used to uncover relationship between categorical variables.Results:The model we found fit between variables: mode, number of repetitions and type, then between number of repetitions, type and gender, and between mode, type and gender.Discussion:The risk of suicide in those who previously attempted suicide is approximately 773 times higher than the risk of suicide without a previous suicide attempt. Those who attempt suicide by hanging (hanging being in Slovenia the most frequent mode of completed suicide) are at even greater risk to commit suicide.Conclusion:Our data suggests that clinicians should heighten their awareness that any suicide attempt can in some 20% predict suicide. Someone who has attempted suicide by hanging is at the highest risk of suicide.

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Suicide attempts preceding completed suicide

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.173.6.531 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 173 (6) ◽

pp. 531-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 167

Author(s):

Erkki T. Isometsä ◽

Jouko K. Lönnqvist

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Preventive Measure ◽

Time Interval ◽

Psychological Autopsy ◽

Autopsy Study ◽

History Of

BackgroundThis study investigated three questions with major implications for suicide prevention: the sensitivity of the history of previous suicide attempt(s) as an indicator of suicide risk, the time interval from a preceding suicide attempt to the fatal one, and switching of suicide methods by those eventually completing suicide.MethodThe lifetime history of suicide attempts and the methods the victims (n=1397) used were examined in a nationwide psychological autopsy study comprising all suicides in Finland within a 12-month research period in 1987–1988.ResultsOverall, 56% of suicide victims were found to have died at their first suicide attempt, more males (62%) than females (38%). In 19% of males and 39% of females the victim had made a non-fatal attempt during the final year. Of the victims with previous attempts, 82% had used at least two different methods in their suicide attempts (the fatal included).ConclusionsMost male and a substantial proportion of female suicides die in their first suicide attempt, a fact that necessitates early recognition of suicide risk, particularly among males. Recognition of periods of high suicide risk on the grounds of recent non-fatal suicide attempts is likely to be important for suicide prevention among females. Subjects completing suicide commonly switch from one suicide method to another, a finding that weakens but does not negate the credibility of restrictions on the availability of lethal methods as a preventive measure.

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