Anger, Impulsivity, Social Support, and Suicide Risk in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

This study reexamined the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder & suicide by comparing the suicide risk of 46 persons with posttraumatic stress disorder to 42 persons with anxiety disorders & 50 matched controls. The relationship between anger, impulsivity, social support, & suicidality in posttraumatic stress disorder was also examined. Impulsivity was positively correlated with suicide risk in posttraumatic stress disorder patients. For this group & the anxiety disorders group, greater social support lowered the risk of suicide. For the controls, social support & impulsivity were not related to suicide risk but anger was. (38 refs.)