This article reports on a study of social, psychological & psychiatric data with the goal of distinguishing suicide-attempt patients from psychiatric patients with no attempts in the anamnesis. Questionnaires completed by patients’ therapists were used to study 2,729 psychiatric non-attempters & 134 attempters. The principal distinguishing factor between the 2 groups was separation from partners during the preceding 12 months. Relationship problems & alcohol abuse were prevalent. (30 refs.)