title: Personality factors and suicide risk in a representative sample of the German general population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous research has shown an association between certain personality characteristics and suicidality. Methodological differences including small sample sizes and missing adjustment for possible confounding factors could explain the varying results. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Big Five personality dimensions on suicidality in a representative population based sample of adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted in a representative German population-based sample (n=2555) in 2011. Personality characteristics were assessed using the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10) and suicide risk was assessed with the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). Multivariate logistic regression models were calculated adjusting for depression, anxiety, and various sociodemographic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neuroticism and openness were significantly associated with suicide risk, while extraversion and conscientiousness were found to be protective. Significant sex differences were observed. For males, extraversion and conscientiousness were protective factors. Neuroticism and openness were found to be associated with suicide risk only in females. These associations remained significant after adjusting for covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results highlight the role of personality dimensions as risk factors for suicide-related behaviors. Different personality dimensions are significantly associated with suicide-related behaviors even when adjusting for other known risk factors of suicidality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blüml
authors.forename: Nestor D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kapusta
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doering
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kersting
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult