How Psychiatrists Weigh Risk Factors When Assessing Suicide Risk

The authors assert that the clinical assessment of suicide risk is a difficult task that the traditional literature contributes to in a limited way. This study details which risk factors 81 psychiatrists ranked as the most crucial. Hopelessness was ranked first, followed by suicidal ideation, previous attempts, the level of mood & affect, quality of relationships, depression, & social integration. These findings are discussed with respect to traditional literature. (VM)