Is violent method of suicide a behavioral marker of lifetime aggression?
OBJECTIVE
The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether the method of suicide is a valid behavioral marker of a lifetime history of aggression.


METHODS
The authors applied the psychological autopsy method to investigate 310 individuals who committed suicide. They used structured clinical assessments and personality trait scales in interviews with family members of the deceased.


RESULTS
Violent method was associated with a higher level of lifetime aggression and a higher level of impulsivity. In addition, violent method was associated with lifetime substance abuse or dependence and psychotic disorders. Controlling for age, sex, substance disorders, and other major psychopathology, the authors found that lifetime aggression and the interaction between impulsivity and aggressive behavior remained associated with violent method.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the use of violent method of suicide as a behavioral marker of a higher level of lifetime impulsive-aggressive behaviors.
McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada.
Alexandre
A
Dumais
Alain D
AD
Lesage
Aleksandra
A
Lalovic
Monique
M
Séguin
Michel
M
Tousignant
Nadia
N
Chawky
Gustavo
G
Turecki
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*