Suicidal Intent and Its Correlation with Depression and Life Events

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have commonly suggested depression to be the most common diagnosis among people attempting suicide. Recent life events were found to be significant risk factors which were universal across countries and cultures. Although life stressors have been described in the causation of depression and suicidal behavior, the exact nature of the relationship is still unclear, and hence needed to be studied more closely. Aims and objectives: The aims of the study were as follows (1) to examine the severity of depression in individuals who attempted suicide/intentional self-harm (ISH), (2) to examine the nature and pattern of life events in patients who attempted suicide/ISH, (3) to evaluate the relationship between depression and suicidal intent, and (4) to evaluate the relationship between stressful life events and suicidal intent. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five consecutive referrals of attempted suicide (ISH), aged 15 years and above, were examined for the severity of depression, nature and pattern of life events, relationship between depression and suicidal intent, and between stressful life events and suicidal intent. The scales used were a sociodemographic profile, MINI Plus 5.0, beck’s depression inventory (BDI), suicide intent scale (SIS), and presumptive stressful life events scale (PSLES). Results and Discussion: Mood disorders were common diagnoses. The presence of Life events was commonly noted, 46.7% had PSLES score of >150 life change units. Interpersonal conflicts, failure in love, unemployment, and financial difficulties were common stressors. The mean BDI score of the sample was 17.94 ± 11.46. The mean SIS score was 11.81 ± 7.06; 20% showed low intent, 21.3% had a medium intent, and 58.7% had high intent. The SIS scores showed a significant correlation with PSLES scores. Marital status did not show any statistical significance with suicidal intent. The relationship of marital status with suicidal intent is still not clear and needs a closer look in future studies. Conclusion: The occurrence of major life events has been known to indicate a period of increased risk when supportive interventions could prevent the evolution of distress to a suicide attempt. An attempt of suicide, along with a PSLES score of more than 150, forms a high-risk group for crisis intervention/suicide prevention.

Keywords

• attempted suicide
• depression
• intentional self-harm
• stressful life events
• stressors
• suicidal intent
• suicide.