Year: 2006 Source: Journal of Abnormal Psychology, v.115, no.3, (August 2006), p.616-623 SIEC No: 20070487

The authors tested the importance of the intent to die criterion by comparing suicide attempters & those who made suicide gestures as a way of communicating with others. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey were used. Suicide attempters differed from those making gestures & were characterized by male gender, fewer years of education, residence in the southern & western USA, psychiatric diagnoses, & history of multiple physical & sexual assaults. It is concluded that it is possible & useful to distinguish between self-injurers on the basis of their intent to die. (66 refs.)