title: Personality differences in attempted suicide versus suicide in adults 50 years of age or older.
abstract: The authors tested hypotheses concerning personality differences in treatment-seeking suicide attempters (AT; n = 60) and a community sample of suicides (SU; n = 43) over age 50. On the basis of prior research, the authors hypothesized that SU would be lower in Neuroticism and Openness and higher in Conscientiousness. A 2-group (AT vs. SU) multivariate analysis of covariance with NEO Personality Inventory--Revised (Informant Version) domain scores as dependent variables revealed that SU were lower in Neuroticism and higher in Conscientiousness. The authors conclude that AT and SU in this age group can be distinguished on the basis of informant ratings of personality traits. These differences can inform risk detection.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. jduseda@rochester.rr.com
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Useda
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Duberstein
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Conner
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beckman
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Franus
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Yeates
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Conwell
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*