PARASUICIDE - THE VALUE OF SUICIDAL INTENT AND VARIOUS MOTIVES AS PREDICTORS OF FUTURE SUICIDAL-BEHAVIOR

The main aim of the study was to examine whether various aspects of su icidal intent or various motives for an index parasuicide can predict nonfatal or fatal repetition of suicidal behaviour. 776 parasuicide pa tients from 5 Nordic regions participating in the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study on Parasuicide were followed for one year. The Suicide Intent S cale (SIS) and the Motives for Parasuicide Questionnaire (MPQ) were us ed as predictor variables. A low level of suicidal intent predicted no nfatal repetition. The motive ''make things easier for someone'' diffe rentiated female repeaters from male repeaters. The report of an uncle ar motive was the only significant predictor of fatal repetition. Suic idal intent and various motives for a parasuicide have some value in p redicting repetition of suicidal behaviour, but should, perhaps, in fu ture studies be combined with other variables in order to increase the predictive value.