Citation

Beale EE, Overholser J, Gomez S, Brannam S, Stockmeier CA. J. Clin. Psychol. (Hoboken) 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jclp.23231

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify variables that distinguish suicide risk among individuals with previous suicide attempts.

METHOD: Using psychological autopsy procedures, we evaluated 86 decedents who had at least one lifetime suicide attempt before eventual death by suicide (n = 65) or natural causes (n = 21).

RESULTS: The Suicide Death group was more likely to be male, to have alcohol in the toxicology report at time of death, and to have a depression diagnosis, while the Natural Cause Death group was more likely to have personality disorder traits, a polysubstance use disorder, higher reported health stress, and an antidepressant in the toxicology report at time of death. Hopelessness and ambivalence were found to distinguish between groups during the 6 months before death.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest important differences between individuals with a shared history of a suicide attempt who die by suicide versus natural causes.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide attempt; ambivalence; psychological autopsy