Life events and psychopathology in a group of suicide attempters.
Researchers examined the incidence of negative life events and associated these events with psychological scales (depression, hopelessness, self-esteem and state-trait anger) in a group of suicide attempters (n = 101) within the framework of the WHO/EURO Multicenter Study on Suicidal Behavior. Certain negative life events (especially relationship problems and physical/mental abuse in childhood) turned out to be the main indicators of severe mental problems in the family of the attempters (e.g. addiction, self-destructive behavior or psychiatric hospitalization). Significant positive correlations were found between the number of events and some psychopathological symptoms like depression, hopelessness, anger and lack of self-esteem. The role of stressful life events in suicidal behavior is emphasized. Particularly traumatic events (e.g. abuse in childhood) may be involved in the development of psychological and/or biological vulnerability (stress-diathesis model) and cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, in the psychotherapy of suicide attempters, it is essential to explore and discuss negative life events.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary. peter.osvath@aok.pte.hu
Peter
P
Osvath
Viktor
V
Vörös
Sandor
S
Fekete
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000786:Anger; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology