Suicidal behaviors and personality structure

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2006 Oct;36(5):569-77. doi: 10.1521/suli.2006.36.5.569.

Abstract

In this paper we suggest the potential clinical usefulness of two projective tests (Rorschach and Object Relation Technique) and of a clinical interview focused on the pathway to suicide, life events, and major life difficulties to better define subtypes of patients attempting suicide. Thirty-three hospitalized subjects who had attempted suicide in the previous 6 months were examined using an in-depth assessment of the pathway to suicide. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare, within a clinical sample of suicidal attempters, the psychopathological, personality, and psychosocial characteristics of subjects with mood disorders alone, personality disorders and dysfunctional personality alone, and mood disorders with personality disorders and/or dysfunctional personality; and (2) to analyze the relationship between the method chosen and the clinical characteristics of the subgroups.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological*
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mood Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mood Disorders / psychology*
  • Object Attachment
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Personality Disorders / psychology*
  • Personality*
  • Projective Techniques*
  • Rorschach Test
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Suicide, Attempted / classification
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*