A dimensional approach of suicidal personality

Although the last decade research has shown that personality disorders (PD) represent a major risk in suicidal behavior, the role of personality dimensions in determining this type of behavior hasn't been yet studied thoroughly.

we intend to highlight some personality traits that may induce a suicidal behavior in patients diagnosed with PD.

the sample consisted of 131 patients with PD, 46 of them presenting both a personality disorder and suicide behavior (suicidal ideation/suicide attempt). The personality dimensions were studied using the Temperament and Character Inventory (T.C.I.) developed by Robert Cloninger. Suicide risk was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), Module C- Suicide Ideas.

although the sample was analyzed in Clusters DSM type A, B, C and an analyze of co morbidities with the Axe I was also made, the analyze was taken further in our attempt to find a common factor that would differentiate the non-suicidal patients from the suicidal ones. The evident result appeared in two character dimensions that are highly related with suicide attempts.

self-conducting and cooperativeness could be considered marker-dimensions in a quick evaluation of suicide risk.