Relationship Between Self-Disclosure and Serious Suicidal Behavior

It was hypothesized self-disclosure may be an important personality variable differentiating suicide attempters & completers. 80 patients with depressive disorder were divided into 4 groups: suicidal ideation only, nonserious suicide attempts, severe suicide attempts, & no suicidal behaviour. Comparisons were also made with 20 healthy controls. The lack of willingness for self-disclosure significantly differentiated the serious attempters from the suicide ideators & mild attempters. The relationship of self-disclosure & more lethal attempts did not appear to be mediated by depression, anxiety or hopelessness. Further studies are needed. (34 refs.)