Is introversion a risk factor for suicidal behaviour in depression?
BACKGROUND
Personality is an important determinant of suicidal behaviour. However, it has been studied little in relation to suicidal behaviour in depression.


METHODS
Depressed patients who had attempted suicide (N = 41) were compared with depressed patients who had never attempted suicide (N = 56) and normal controls (N = 56) for their scores on three personality questionnaires.


RESULTS
Introversion was the only personality dimension where the post hoc test showed a different pattern between the two groups of depressed patients in their relation to controls. In particular, only depressed patients who had attempted suicide had significantly lower introversion scores than controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The personality dimension of introversion may be a risk factor for suicidal behaviour in depression.
Roy
A
A
Psychiatry Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, East Orange, NJ, USA.
D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007439:Introversion, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*