Is Violent Method of Suicide a Behavioral Marker of Lifetime Aggression?

A psychological autopsy method was used to investigate 310 individuals who died by suicide. The purpose of this study was then to investigate whether the method of suicide is a valid behavioural marker of a lifetime history of aggression. Controlling for age, sex, substance disorders, & other major psychopathology, it was found that lifetime aggression & the interaction between impulsivity & aggressive behaviour remained associated with violent method. (LC) (27 refs)