Open AccessHigher Suicide Intent in Patients Attempting Suicide With Violent Methods Versus Self-Poisoning
Author(s) -
Per Sverre Persett,
Øivind Ekeberg,
Dag Jacobsen,
Mari A. Bjornaas,
Hilde Myhren
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
crisis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2151-2396
pISSN - 0227-5910
DOI - 10.1027/0227-5910/a000773
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , depression (economics) , psychiatry , suicide prevention , impulsivity , clinical psychology , suicide attempt , poison control , injury prevention , beck depression inventory , psychology , medicine , medical emergency , anxiety , economics , macroeconomics
. Background: Suicidal intent for patients attempting suicide using violent methods (VMs) is assumed to be higher than for those using self-poisoning (SP), which may explain the higher mortality observed in follow-up studies. However, this has not been studied prospectively. Aims: We aimed to compare patients attempting suicide using VMs with those using SP regarding suicidal intent, suicidal ideation, depression, and hopelessness during hospital stay and after 1 year. Methods: Patients hospitalized after suicide attempt by VMs ( n = 80) or SP ( n = 81) completed the Beck scales for Suicide Intent, Suicide Ideation, Depression Inventory, and Hopelessness on admission and at the 12-month follow-up. Results: On admission, those using VMs had higher suicidal intent than those using SP ( M = 16.2 vs. 13.3, p < .001), but lower depression scores ( M = 22.2 vs. 26.8, p < .05). No significant differences were found in suicidal ideation ( M = 20.1 vs. 23.1) or hopelessness ( M = 10.1 vs. 11.9). At 12-month follow-up, depression scores decreased significantly for both groups, while hopelessness decreased only for the SP group. Limitations: The statistical power achieved was lower than intended. Conclusion: The higher levels of suicidal intent, but lower levels of depression, may indicate more impulsivity among people attempting suicide using VMs. Suicidal ideation was relatively stable.