A study into the psycho-socio-demographic profile and suicidal intent in the persons making suicide attempt : Search for a distinctive group

Abstract

Introduction : Epidemiological studies simultaneously investigating the combined effects of psychiatric and psychosocial risk factors for suicide are sparse. Presently no distinctive grouping has been done combining the suicide intent and lethality of attempt though there are significant variations in psycho-socio-demographic character within the persons making suicide attempt.
Aims : To study the psycho-socio-demographic profile, suicide intent and lethality of attempt in survivors of suicide attempt and finally to categorize them in distinct groups by two dimensions – suicide intent and lethality of suicide attempt.
Design : Cross-sectional study.
Methods and Material : Two hundred patients who attempted suicide were evaluated by a psychiatrist. The data was recorded for socio demographic variables , psychiatric disorder, suicide intent and for lethality of attempt. Groupings were done first by single dimension, suicide intent, then by two dimensions, suicide intent and lethality of attempt. Two procedures were then compared statistically.
Results : The mean age of the study population was 26.36 years, mostly female (50.5%), housewives (35.5%) and students (10%), from nuclear family (55.5%), with no psychiatric disorder (29%). Organophophorus poisoning (79.5%) was the principal mode of suicide attempt, out of problem with primary support group (89.5%). Grouping was more significant when based on combining two dimensions, suicide intent and lethality of attempt, rather than only single dimension, suicide intent.
Conclusions : Both suicide intent and lethality of suicide attempt are important dimensions to categorize suicide attempters. There exists four groups and they are different in psycho-socio- demographic profile.
Declaration of interest – None.
Key-words : Suicide, Suicide intent, Lethality, Deliberate self harm