Eventual suicide in interrupted and uninterrupted attempters: a challenge to the cry-for-help hypothesis

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 1988 Summer;18(2):119-28. doi: 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1988.tb00146.x.

Abstract

A total of 499 patients hospitalized for suicide attempts (attempters) between 1970 and 1975 were followed until 1982; of this group, 28 (5.6%) eventually committed suicide. Six (14.6%) of the 41 patients who had been interrupted during their initial attempts eventually committed suicide, whereas only 22 (4.8%) of the 458 patients who had not been interrupted eventually committed suicide. The interrupted attempters were approximately three times more likely to commit suicide than the uninterrupted attempters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Patient Admission
  • Psychological Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*