MAGNITUDE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MARKERS IN SUICIDE ATTEMPTERS

Abstract

Background: Suicide attempter is an individual who engaged in the act of killing self but survives out of it. Suicide rates are increasing in India every year. Behind most of the completed suicide, considerable previous attempts have been witnessed. Suicide is preventable if the psychological string is well understood.

Aim: To identify the existing level of psychological markers – defeat, entrapment & hopelessness in suicide attempters and correlation between these constructs.

Materials & Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted and sample size 120 was determined using Open Epi – sample size calculator. Both genders, between 18 & 60 years old and attempted by hanging, drug overdose or ingestion of poison were included.  Gilbert and Allan’s defeat, entrapment scale & Beck hopelessness scale were used to gather data.

Results: Majority were 20-30 years old during their present suicide attempt and the mean age was 27.6 + 6.3. Interpersonal issues were the most common cause of the attempt and majority ingested poison. Mean level of all the three constructs were moderately high and positively correlated with each other.

Conclusion: Suicide attempters still experience moderate defeat, high entrapment, and moderately high hopelessness after the attempt which could risk a future attempt.