Psychotic-spectrum symptoms, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder among suicide inner-city women

This study explored psychotic-spectrum symptoms, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal intent among low-income inner-city women who were admitted to a community hospital after a suicide attempt. Measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Traumatic Stress Schedule, the National Womens- Study PTSD module, and the Suicide Intent Scale. Psychotic-spectrum symptoms, trauma, and PTSD were significantly correlated. Trauma and psychotic-spectrum symptoms, but not PTSD, we re associated with suicidal intent, although the 'effect sizes were small. Psychotic symptoms mediated the relationship between PTSD and suicidal intent. These results emphasize the need for attention to all of these variables in assessing clinical complications and comorbid conditions.