The Motives for Parasuicide Questionnaire (MPQ), comprising 14 suggested motives for suicide attempt, was presented to 53 psychiatric patients who had attempted suicide. Findings showed that escape motives were very common, & that hopelessness was positively associated with a stated wish to die & with escape motives. Suicidal intent was related to some motives, & psychiatric diagnosis or mental state seemed more important than socio-demographic characteristics for the choice of motives. Implications for further research are discussed. (43 refs)