How psychiatrists weigh risk factors when assessing suicide risk

The clinical assessment of suicide risk is a difficult task that the traditional literature contributes to in a limited way. This study aims to complement the traditional literature by determining the ranking of suicide risk factors by a group of 81 psychiatrists. Hopelessness was ranked the most important risk factor, followed by Suicidal Ideation, Previous Attempts, the Level of Mood and Affect, Quality of Relationships, Signs and Symptoms of Depression, and Social Integration. Less highly ranked risk factors are also noted. The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to the literature and commonly used textbooks of psychiatry.