Relationship of non-suicidal self-injury, depression, hopelessness and suicide attempts in cases with current suicide attempt

BACKGROUND: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is an important risk factor for suicide attempts. However, limited published data exist regarding the association of NSSI and other predictors of suicide such as depression and hopelessness with suicide attempts among psychiatric inpatients in the Indian context, an area that needs to be comprehensively investigated. METHODS: Consecutive patients (N.=100) admitted with current suicide attempt, aged 18-60 years were included in the study over period of 12 months. Lifetime history of suicidal attempts and NSSI, along with the frequency of NSSI in psychiatric patients was noted. Depression severity, hopelessness, suicidal ideations, and suicide intent of the patients were recorded using valid tools. RESULT S: NSSI was found in 36% of 100 consecutive patients with current suicide attempt. The number of lifetime suicide attempts ranged from 1 to 16 (M=1.72, SD=1.78), and Frequency of NSSI ranged from 1 to 250 (M=36, SD=16.12). Depression score significantly differed between patients with and without the history of NSSI (P=0.011) and was found to be a significant variable influencing suicide attempts. Number of suicide attempts significantly correlated with the frequency of NSSI (r=0.41, P=0.001), suicidal intent (r=0.25, P=0.01), depression (r=0.457, P=0.001), hopelessness (r=0.27, P=0.005), and suicidal ideation (r=0.34, P=0.0004) scores.CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of NSSI and depression appear to be risk factor for increased suicide risk among psychiatric patients given that they have a positive association with the number of suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of NSSI and depression appear to be risk factor for increased