THE PREDICTION OF SUICIDAL INTENT IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between suicidal ideation or suicidal attempts and severity of depression, pre sence of personality disorders, and sociodemographic factors in a popu lation of depressed in-patients. A total of 338 adult depressed psychi atric in-patients were examined and classified according to DSM-IPI cr iteria as having major depression with or without melancholic or psych otic features, adjustment disorder with depressed mood or dysthymic di sorder. Scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Beck De pression Inventory (BDI) and Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety S cales (SDS and SAS) were measured. Mie found that suicidal ideation wa s significantly related to severity of depression (according to the HD RS and all self-rating scales), a lower global assessment of functioni ng the year before hospitalization, and previous psychiatric hospitali zations. The items with the strongest predictive value for suicidal id eation were hopelessness, depressed mood, feelings of guilt, loss of i nterest and low self-esteem. These symptoms predicted 43% of the varia nce in suicidal ideation. None of the above predictors of suicidal ide ation was related to suicidal attempts, Depressed patients with a pers onality disorder attempted significantly more suicidal attempts and sh owed more suicidal ideation than depressed patients without personalit y disorder, No significant correlations were found between suicidal id eation or suicide attempts and gender, marital status, employment stat us or psychosocial stressors during the previous 6 months.