SUICIDAL IDEATION, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, AND HIV-INFECTION

A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the prevalence an d predictors of suicidal ideation and past suicide attempt in an Austr alian sample of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-ne gative homosexual and bisexual men. Sixty-five HIV-negative and 164 HI V-positive men participated. A suicidal ideation score was derived fro m using five items selected from the Beck Depression Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire (28-item version). Lifetime and current prevalence rates of psychiatric disorder were evaluated with the Diagn ostic Interview Schedule Version-III-R. The HIV-positive (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Stage IV) men (n = 85) had signif icantly higher total suicidal ideation scores than the asymptomatic HI V-positive men (CDC Stage II/III) (n = 79) and the HIV-negative men. H igh rates of past suicide attempt were detected in the HIV-negative (2 9%) and HIV-positive men (21%). Factors associated with suicidal ideat ion included being HIV-positive, the presence of current psychiatric d isorder higher neuroticism scores, external locus of control, and curr ent unemployment. In the HIV-positive group analyzed separately, highe r suicidal ideation was discriminated by the adjustment to HIV diagnos is (greater hopelessness and lower fighting spirit), disease factors ( greater number of current acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]-re lated conditions), and background variables (neuroticism). Significant predictors of a past attempted suicide were a positive lifetime histo ry of psychiatric disorder (particularly depression diagnoses), a life time history of injection drug use, and a family history of suicide at tempts. The findings indicate increased levels of suicidal ideation in symptomatic HIV-positive men and high light the role that multiple ps ychosocial factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempted sui cide play in this population.