FOUR-YEARS GENERAL HOSPITAL COUNSELING FOR SUICIDE ATTEMPTERS: THE PADUA EXPERIENCE

Objective: While psychopathology of suicide is broadly investigated, the role of intention still needs to be clarified. In 134 patients admitted for attempted suicide, we examined relationship between intention and psychopathology. We evaluated suicidal intention. using the Intent Score Scale (ISS) and the Suicide Assessment Scale (SAS). Method: Sample was evenly distributed between sexes (53,7% women), average age was 44,3 years, educational. level was predominantly low (66,6%), as the income level (65,6%). Population had a high degree of intention (4,5% in the low risk class according to ISS, and 900 according to SAS). Results: Logistic regression showed that repeater condition (49,20 of the sample) was correlated to religious practice (protective factor: p=0,016) and psychiatric diagnosis (personality disorder as a risk factor: 0,015<p<0,034). Intention prior to the act (ISS) was related to psychiatric diagnosis (protective if in axis II: V.0.001). Residual intention (SAS) was correlated to age (risk factor if elderly: p=0.033) and psychiatric diagnosis (risk factor if in axis II: p=0.00 Conclusions: Subjects with personality disorders (the most frequent diagnosis among the repeaters), even though their previous intention was lower than those with diagnoses in axis I, maintain higher levels of intention after the suicide attempt. The importance of diagnosis for prevention. is highlighted.