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Hopelessness and low-intent in parasuicide
1Sub-Department of Medically Applied Psychology, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
General Hospital Psychiatry
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Hopelessness is linked to suicidal behavior even in patients with low suicidal intent. Addressing hopelessness is crucial for effective treatment in parasuicide patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Parasuicide rates are rising, posing clinical and research challenges.
- Hopelessness, a key depression symptom, links depression to suicidal behavior.
- Previous research primarily examined hopelessness in high-intent suicidal patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hopelessness and low suicidal intent.
- To examine this link in hospitalized adult parasuicide patients.
- To inform therapeutic interventions for low-intent parasuicide.
Main Methods:
- Study included 337 hospitalized adult parasuicide patients.
- Patients underwent clinical interviews within 24-48 hours of admission.
- Assessments included Beck Hopelessness Scale, Zung Depression Scale, or DSM III criteria.
Main Results:
- Confirmed a positive relationship between hopelessness and suicidal behavior.
- This association was observed in patients with low suicidal intent.
- Findings align with previous research on high-intent suicidal patients.
Conclusions:
- Hopelessness is a significant factor in parasuicide, irrespective of intent level.
- Therapeutic strategies must address hopelessness in low-intent parasuicide patients.
- Further research is needed to refine interventions for this population.