Psychosis and Functioning as Risk Factors for Later Suicidal Activity Among Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Patients: a Disease-Based Interactive Model

This study explores the relationship of positive & negative symptoms, & posthospital functioning to subsequent suicidal behaviour over a 7.5 year period, & examines whether these patterns vary with diagnosis. The results support a multifactor model of suicide risk. Both psychosis & poor functioning show some relationship to later suicidal activity for both schizophrenic & schizoaffective patients. In general, adequacy of overall posthospital functioning mediates the effects of some risk factors.