Suicide Intent and Accurate Expectations of Lethality: Predictors of Medical Lethality of Suicide Attempts.

Abstract

The degree of intent to commit suicide and the severity of self-injury were examined in individuals (N = 180) who had recently attempted suicide. Although a minimal association was found between the degree of suicide intent and the degree of lethality of the attempt, the accuracy of expectations about the likelihood of dying was found to moderate the relationship between suicide intent and lethality. Specifically, higher levels of suicide intent were associated with more lethal attempts but only for those individuals who had more accurate expectations about the likelihood of dying from their attempts.

Clinical correlates of planned, more lethal suicide attempts in major depressive disorder

“…One study in youth found that more impulsive subjects reported more suicide planning (Witte et al 2007). As in other studies (Beck et al, 1975;Power et al, 1985;Brown et al, 2004), we found a positive correlation between suicide planning and medical lethality of suicide attempts. However, in contrast to previous reports that show more severe depression is associated with more planned suicide (Goldney, 1981;Brown et al, 1991), we did not find such an association.…”

“…Since suicide planning tends to influence whether a patient is hospitalized (Baca-Garcia et al, 2004), it can significantly affect treatment. Studies report associations of suicide planning with more medically lethal attempts (Beck et al, 1975;Power et al, 1985;Brown et al, 2004) and a greater risk of suicide (Coryell and Young, 2005;Harriss et al, 2005). Although less planned and more impulsive suicide attempts may be less lethal, they may still result in death, particularly when violent means are available (O'Donnell et al, 1996; Conner et al, 2005).…”

Seriousness and lethality of attempted suicide: A systematic review

“…Some studies have demonstrated an important correlation (Horesh, Levi, & Apter, 2012), while others only a small association (Brown, Henriques, Sosdjan, & Beck, 2004), but all concur that individuals who have accurate expectations about the likelihood of dying from their attempts, commit more serious attempts. Other studies have shown a positive relationship between the degree of suicide intent and the lethality of suicide methods (Harriss, Hawton, & Zahl, 2005;Haw, Hawton, Houston, & Townsend, 2003;Zhang & Xu, 2007): the stronger the suicide intent, the more lethal the means chosen by the attempter.…”

“…Most studies concur that prior suicide attempts are significantly associated with the lethality of suicide attempts but, in particular, the seriousness of suicide attempts appears to be the best predictor of the lethality of future suicidal behavior (Brown et al, 2004). Therefore, subjects with a history of serious suicide attempts are at greater risk for future suicide than those who have made less serious attempts (Beautrais, 2004;Rosen, 1976;Swahn & Potter, 2002).…”

The factorial structure of the Suicide Intent Scale: a comparative study in clinical samples from 11 European regions

“…First, the SIS was investigated as a predictor for future fatal and non-fatal suicidal behavior (Beck et al, 1989;Hjelmeland et al, 1998;Tejedor et al, 1999;Brown et al, 2004;Kerkhof and Arensman, 2004;Suominen et al, 2004;Baca-Garcia et al, 2005;. Second, other studies examined the relationships between the SIS and several variables associated with non-fatal suicidal behavior (e.g.…”