Prediction of Suicide in Psychiatric Patients: Report of a Prospective Study

In an attempt to identify persons who would attempt or commit suicide, 4,800 consecutive admissions to an inpatient psychiatric service were rated on a wide range of instruments. Many items had substantial correlations with subsequent suicides or attempts, but all efforts to identify specific subjects were unsuccessful. Identification of who will commit suicide was not feasible due to the low sensitivity & specificity of available instruments. (28 refs.) (RM)