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Citation |
Jallade C, Sarfati Y, Hardy-Baylé MC. J. Affect. Disord. 2005; 85(3): 283-292. |
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Affiliation |
Department of Psychiatry, Versailles Hospital Center, France. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
15780698 |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND: The cathartic effect has been related to the short-term decrease of depressive symptomatology following the suicide attempt. This study aimed to clarify the extent of this clinical improvement to non self-induced traumas and other suicidal dimensions. METHODS: Twenty-six recent suicide attempters were compared with 21 control subjects admitted to the surgical ward after an accident-induced trauma. They completed several assessments the day after the admission and one week after discharge: Hamilton and Carroll Depression scales, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Hopelessness scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, MMPI (abbreviated version), Global Assessment Scale. RESULTS: Depression, anxiety-state, two sub-scales of the MMPI (Hysteria, Depression) and general functioning improved significantly in the suicide attempters group. Measures of impulsivity and hopelessness remained stable during the follow-up. LIMITATIONS: These results cannot not be generalized to all suicide attempters and we did not take account of the lethality and severity of the suicidal method used. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the specific role of deliberate self-aggression in the cathartic effect and the trait value of both impulsivity and hopelessness. |