Clinical correlates of intent in attempted suicide

The seriousness of suicide attempts was evaluated in 62 consecutive referrals in 2 general hospitals. As measured by the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) the majority of cases had a low to moderate intention to die. Increasing age, psychosis and deliberate self-injury were associated with high suicidal intent. Hopelessness and a sense of isolation are significantly more frequent antecedent ideo-affective states in cases with high intent and anger and frustration are more prevalent in cases with low intent. Two other measures of seriousness, the medical condition on admission and lethality of the method used, correlate significantly with the degree of intent. The SIS can distinguish between relatively homogeneous subgroups of suicide attempters for depth studies of aetiology and management.