Impulsivity as a Correlate of Suicidal Behavior in Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

One hundred and eighteen inpatient adolescents in a psychiatric hospital were evaluated to determine the relationship of aggression, self injury, and suicidal behavior to impulsivity. It was hypothesized that all these variables would be significantly and positively correlated with one another. This hypothesis was in part based on the results of psychobiological research that found serotonin dysfunction to be the common denominator of these psychopathological dimensions. As predicted, a significant correlation was found between the measures of suicidal behavior, aggressive behavior, and impulsivity. This correlation between suicidal behavior and impulsivity remained after partialing out the factor of aggression. Furthermore, the correlations between impulsivity and suicidality appeared greater in males than in females. Since male suicide attempters are more likely to eventually commit suicide than female suicide attempters, these findings may have a bearing on suicide prediction.

Household Firearm Ownership and Rates of Suicide Across the 50 United States

“…The magnitude of this association is particularly marked in our youngest age group (5-19 years), consistent with other studies 11,19,21,42 and with the hypothesis that the ready availability of firearms is likely to have the greatest effect on suicide rates in groups characterized by more impulsive behavior. 43,44 We found no significant association between household firearm ownership and nonfirearm suicide, although most coefficients relating firearm ownership and nonfirearm suicide were negative, suggesting the possibility of some (i.e., incomplete) substitution, particularly for men and the elderly. …”

Sequelae of Aggression in Acutely Suicidal Adolescents

“…Prior research linking impulsive aggression and suicidal behavior in youth has been inconsistent (e.g. Brent et al 1993a;Horesh et al 1999). Differences in how impulsive aggression is operationalized (e.g.…”

“…Few studies (see Bae et al 2005;Horesh et al 1999) have examined gender differences in the links between aggressive and suicidal behavior. Females more often show nonsuicidal cutting and multiple suicide attempts, which have been conceptualized as self-directed violence (e.g.…”

“…Simon et al 2001), there is mixed support for a link between impulsive aggression and adolescent suicidal behavior (e.g. Brent et al 1993a;Horesh et al 1999).…”

Role of Impulsivity and Other Personality Dimensions in Attempted Suicide with Self-Poisoning among Children and Adolescents

“…The presence of significant impulsive behaviors and maladaptive personality traits are considered to be possible factors that may play a role in the risk of suicide in young people (Renaud, Berlim, McGirr et al, 2008). However, few studies have examined these variables (Brent, Johnson, Perper et al, 1994;Horesh, Gothelf, Ofek et al, 1999;Renaud, Berlim, McGirr et al, 2008), and still there is limited information regarding their impact on child and adolescent suicide. The interrelationships between stressors, depression, personality traits= dimensions, impulsivity, and suicidal behavior are still unclear and need further exploration (Renaud, Berlim, McGirr et al, 2008).…”