Transitions to, and Correlates of, Suicidal Ideation, Plans, and Unplanned and Planned Suicide Attempts Among 3,729 men and Women With Alcohol Dependence

Using a heuristic model of suicide ideation & behaviour, the 2 objectives of this study were to identify correlates of unique suicide-related outcomes & specific transitions from one suicide-related category to the next. Analyses were conducted with data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. There were 3,729 subjects, all 18 years & older. Female gender was uniquely associated with transitions to unplanned & planned attempts. Independent depression & substance-induced depression were associated with transitions to ideation & planning, whereas alcohol-related aggression was correlated with transitions to unplanned attempts. Data underscore the heterogeneity of suicide ideation & behaviour among alcoholics & indicate the need to make clear distinctions between types of suicide ideation & behaviour in research & prevention efforts. (32 refs.)