Prodromal signs and precipitating factors in attempted suicide.
What characterizes the presuicidal phase of suicide attempters in a military population? And what precipitates their suicidal action? These questions were investigated in a sample of 112 male suicide-attempting conscripts serving in the Norwegian Armed Forces. One-half of the subjects had shown behavioral signs such as isolation or aggression, over 80% displayed psychiatric symptoms. A majority verbally expressed their psychic problems, but few had explicitly stated suicidal ideas. Two major clusters of suicide precipitants were identified. Loss traumas were recorded in one-third of cases, some sort of conflict situation in 40% of cases. Implications for suicide preventive measures are discussed.
Mehlum
L
L
Research Section, HQ Defence Command Norway, Oslo.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009664:Norway; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*