Examines the relationship between problem-solving & suicidal behavior among 123(14-64yr old) psychiatric inpatients admitted for parasuicide, suicide ideation, or nonsuicide-related complaints. 16(13-61 yr old) orthopedic surgery patients were included to control for hospitalization trauma & current stress. Results suggest assertion deficits may characterize the psychiatric population in general, but suicidal behavior within psychiatric patients may be related to lower active problem-solving.