Responses to life events as predictors of suicidal behavior

This study, built on Jacobs' conceptual work, considered the interaction of a complex of predictor variables (hopelessness; locus of control; preference for inclusion, control, and affection; and stress from life events) in relation to the degree of suicide intent. Although the multiple regression equation computed for the combination of variables was significantly related to the criterion variable, suicide intent, hopelessness and preference for affection were the only major variables that contributed a significant amount of variance. Hopelessness, however, was the only variable that significantly related to suicide intent when considered outside the context of the multiple regression equation. In addition, the correlations between locus of control and hopelessness, as well as preference for affection and hopelessness, were significant and appeared to account for different variance than accounted for by the correlation of hopelessness and suicide intent.