Data obtained from 48 suicide attempters & 56 suicide threateners on 3 of Beck’s suicide intent scales were factor analyzed. The scale, attempt suicide intent, yielded 4 orthogonal factors reflecting seriousness of intent, lethality of the act, precautions against interference & failure to initiate rescue after the attempt. Character disordered subjects were more likely to report both more serious intent at time of suicide attempt & at interview than other attempters. (SIEC)