Personality Traits as Correlates of Suicide Attempts and Suicidal Ideation in Young Adults

The relationships of personality traits to two suicidal behaviours were investigated in a cohort of 1140 21-24-year-old young adults in Quebec. Subjects were assessed using a series of structured diagnostic & personality trait questionnaires. Traits of conduct problems contributed to both suicide atttempts & suicide ideation while identity problems & gender-moderated impulsivity contributed exclusively to suicide ideation. Personality traits may make independent contributions to current suicide ideation & previous suicide attempts in certain subgroups of suicidal individuals. (81 refs.)