History of Multiple Suicide Attempts as a Behavioral Marker of Severe Psychopathology

The study tested the hypothesis that multiple suicide attempters would exhibit a more severe clinical profile than single suicide attempters. Self-report batteries & clinical interviews was administered to 39 single attempters & 114 multiple attempters who came to an urban hospital. Multiple suicide attempters versus single attempters exhibited a greater degree of damaging background characteristics, high levels of suicidality, & poorer interpersonal functioning. Results indicate that multiple attempters display more severe psychopathology, suicidality, & interpersonal difficulties. (37 refs)