Prediction of Eventual Suicide in Psychiatric Inpatients by Clinical Ratings of Hopelessness

A 9-point clinical rating scale was used to assess the severity of hopelessness in 141 patients hospitalized with suicidal ideation. The patients were followed for 5-10 yrs & 10 eventually completed suicide. The mean hopelessness rating for the patients completing suicide was significantly higher than for patients who did not suicide. A cutoff score of 6 or above successfully predicted 90% of those completing suicide. Results support previous findings. 16 refs.