Risk factors for suicide attempts among alcohol dependent patients.
Suicidal behavior is a common and important problem among alcohol dependent patients. The study was designed to examine risk factors for attempting suicide in 499 alcohol dependent patients. Those who had attempted suicide (N = 198) were more likely to be female, report a family history of suicidal behavior, report more childhood trauma, report greater levels of aggressive behavior, began heavy drinking earlier, and were more likely to have received antidepressant medication. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender, family history, and childhood sexual abuse history made significant and independent contributions to the risk of a suicide attempt. Thus, developmental, personality, family history, social, and comorbidity risk factors may differentiate alcohol dependent patients who have attempted suicide from those who have not.
Roy
Alec
A
Psychiatry Service, New Jersey VA Health Care System, New Jersey 07018, USA. Alec.Roy@med.va.gov
Janal
Malvin N
MN
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009515:New Jersey; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*