Repeated suicidal behavior: a two-year follow-up

The majority of suicide attempters repeat the suicidal act at least once. The study described here on a Danish sample of suicide attempters shows that 31% had made only one attempt. More repeaters than nonrepeaters were divorced, and more repeaters also lived alone or alone with children. The two groups did not differ significantly as to level of education, but were clearly different with regard to their economic activity. These differences cannot be used as a basis for the prediction of future suicidal behavior, since the factors discussed refer to characteristics that define suicide attempters in general. However, they do point to conditions that might be targets for intervention and aftercare.