Characteristics of Korean Suicide Attempters / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In the current study, we investigated the general characteristics of suicide attempters and attempted to determine factors contributing to suicide attempt by analyzing severe suicide ideation and intent. METHODS: This study analyzed medical records of suicide attempters who visited the emergency departments. Data were collected from 7 university hospitals nationwide. As an evaluation measure of suicide intent, we used Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). Colombia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) was applied for assessment of severity and intensity of suicide idea and lethality of suicide behavior. RESULTS: Male gender, old age and living alone group showed higher SIS score. Male gender, low income, and having psychiatric diagnosis or suicide history group showed a high score on the severity subscale of suicide ideation of C-SSRS. Old age, low income, and having psychiatric diagnosis showed a high score on the intensity subscale of suicide ideation of C-SSRS. Actual lethality scale of C-SSRS was high in male gender and old age group. Severity and intensity of suicide ideation and suicide intent showed positive correlation with actual lethality of suicide behavior. CONCLUSION: Male gender, old age, living alone, psychiatric diagnosis, and suicide history were risk factors affecting severity and intensity of suicide ideation and intent of suicide. Severity and intensity of suicide ideation and intent are positively related to lethality of suicide behavior.