title: Motives and intent: a comparison of views of overdose patients and their key relatives/friends.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to compare the perceptions of patients with those of key relatives or friends as regards motives for self-poisoning and intent to die, in ninety-eight overdose cases. Patients admitted to the accident and emergency department of a district general hospital in the county of Warwickshire, England, were interviewed following their recovery. Their key relatives/friends were also interviewed concerning their views of the emergency. Analysis of the responses of patients and key persons indicated that there was a significant association between the perceptions of the two classes of subjects as regards selection of escape/relief motives, warning prior to the attempt and intention to die. There was also a significant association between patient and relative perceptions of suicidal intent and relief at being alive. The implication of these findings as regards follow-up therapy is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011041:Poisoning / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*