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Personality traits as correlates of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation in young adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2005

JELENA BREZO ,
JOEL PARIS ,
RICHARD TREMBLAY ,
FRANK VITARO ,
MARK ZOCCOLILLO ,
MARTINE HÉBERT  and
GUSTAVO TURECKI
JELENA BREZO
Affiliation:
McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada
JOEL PARIS
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
RICHARD TREMBLAY
Affiliation:
GRIP, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
FRANK VITARO
Affiliation:
GRIP, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
MARK ZOCCOLILLO
Affiliation:
Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
MARTINE HÉBERT
Affiliation:
Department of Sexology, University of Quebec, Montreal, Canada
GUSTAVO TURECKI
Affiliation:
McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Abstract

Background. Adults in their twenties appear to be at high risk for suicidal behaviors (SBs) and there is substantial evidence suggesting that certain personality traits may increase individual vulnerability to suicide.

Method. We investigated relationships of personality traits with two SBs in a cohort (n=1140) of 21- to 24-year-old adults, representative of the general population of Quebec. Subjects were assessed using a series of structured diagnostic and personality trait questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify personality trait correlates of suicide-attempt history and serious suicidal ideation in the context of other known risk factors, such as psychopathology and experiences of childhood sexual and physical abuse.

Results. Traits of conduct problems contributed to both suicide attempts [odds ratio (OR) 1·03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01–1·06] and suicidal ideation (OR 1·04, 95% CI 1·02–1·07), while identity problems (OR 1·10, 95% CI 1·07–1·13) and gender-moderated impulsivity contributed exclusively to suicidal ideation.

Conclusions. Personality traits may make independent contributions to current suicidal ideation and previous suicide attempts in certain subgroups of suicidal individuals. In order to further explore their utility as markers of suicide risk and targets of intervention further investigation in clinical samples and other cultural and age groups is necessary.

Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , February 2006 , pp. 191 - 202
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press

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