1943-278X/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=15a79cc394e5215545939a8a0c67d81799e8c8e3 "Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior")
Matthew Fuller, PharmD, provided expert ratings on the toxicity of suicide attempts by drug overdose.
1943-278X/asset/olbannerleft.jpg?v=1&s=18d90b01f2afdbf300d6106c018c7de344834196)
1943-278X/asset/olbannerright.jpg?v=1&s=ad92597f77973ff70e30b24402a9c58148816476)
Assessment of Depression and Suicidal Actions: Agreement between Suicide Attempters and Informant Reports
Article first published online: 17 JAN 2011
DOI: 10.1521/suli.2009.39.1.38
2009 The American Association for Suicidology
Additional Information
How to Cite
DeJong, T. M. and Overholser, J. C. (2009), Assessment of Depression and Suicidal Actions: Agreement between Suicide Attempters and Informant Reports. Suicide and Life-Threat Behavi, 39: 38–46. doi: 10.1521/suli.2009.39.1.38
Publication History
- Issue published online: 17 JAN 2011
- Article first published online: 17 JAN 2011
- Manuscript Received: December 7, 2007 Revision Accepted: July 1, 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Knowledgeable informants may be able to provide useful information about depressive symptoms and suicidal actions when a suicidal patient is uncooperative with a clinical interview or not available for a psychiatric evaluation. The present study was designed to examine information gathered from psychiatric inpatients who had attempted suicide as compared to similar information obtained from a close friend or family member. From a larger sample of adult psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with major depression, 25 suicide attempters were assessed and their reports were compared to similar information solicited from a close friend or family member. The assessment focused on depressive symptoms from the SCID and the presence of various suicidal actions. Moderate to high agreement was found on all measures. Psychiatric patients and their informants tended to agree on the presence of depressive symptoms, the presence of recent stressful life events, and specific actions taken during the suicidal crisis, suggesting that informants may be capable of providing useful information about the patient.