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Are Suicide Attempters Wired Differently?: A Comparison With Nonsuicidal Depressed Individuals Using Plan Analysis
Juliane Brüdern1, Thomas Berger, Konrad Michel
1*University of Bern; and †University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|June 10, 2015
Summary
Suicide attempters exhibit distinct internal plans and motives, often linked to social perfectionism and withdrawal, differentiating them from non-suicidal depressed individuals. Understanding these plans aids clinicians in assessing suicide risk.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on internal risk processes differentiating suicide attempters from depressed individuals.
- Understanding the distinct cognitive and self-regulatory processes is crucial for suicide prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the Plans, motives, and self-regulatory processes in suicide attempters versus nonsuicidal depressive individuals.
- To identify factors that distinguish these two groups.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing Plan Analysis on narrative interviews.
- Comparative analysis of 17 suicide attempters and 17 nonsuicidal depressive patients.
Main Results:
- Suicidal behavior is associated with specific Plans found exclusively in attempters.
- Attempters' Plans relate to social perfectionism and withdrawal for self-esteem protection.
- Depressive patients utilize interpersonal control and coping strategies potentially preventing suicidal behavior.
Conclusions:
- A prototypical Plan structure for suicide attempters can help clinicians identify critical risk factors and motives.
- This research offers insights into the internal risk processes of suicide attempters.