Unplanned versus planned suicide attempters, precipitants, methods, and an association with mental disorders in a Korea-based community sample

Hong Jin Jeon, Jun Young Lee, Young Moon Lee, Jin Pyo Hong, Seung Hee Won, Seong Jin Cho, Jin Yeong Kim, Sung Man Chang, Hae Woo Lee, Maeng Je Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Studies have consistently reported that a considerable proportion of suicidal attempts are unplanned. We have performed the first direct comparison between planned and unplanned attempts including associated methods and precipitants. Method: A total of 6510 adults, who had been randomly selected through a one-person-per-household method, completed interviews (response rate 81.7%). All were interviewed using the K-CIDI and a questionnaire for suicide. Results: Two hundred and eight subjects reported a suicide attempt in their lifetime, one-third of which had been unplanned. These individuals exhibited a lower level of education; however, no significant differences were found with regard to age, gender, marital and economic status. Further, 84.0% of unplanned attempters experienced previous suicidal ideation, experiencing their first attempt 1.9 years before ideation. Additionally, 94.4% of unplanned attempters had precipitants for attempts such as familial conflict and it was also found that methods such as the use of chemical agents or falling were three times more common in unplanned than planned attempters. With respect to unplanned attempters, they exhibited a significant association with alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. In particular, bipolar disorder was found to be 3.5 times higher in these individuals. Conclusions: Results have revealed that unplanned suicide attempters experience suicidal ideation and precipitants prior to their attempt. Further, attempts were associated with affective and alcohol use disorders. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of suicidal attempts, it may be useful to evaluate suicidal ideation concurrent to the treatment of existing mental disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)274-280
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume127
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Korea
  • Suicidal attempt
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Unplanned

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