RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: A lots of studies have investigated the psychosocial characteristics of suicidal attempters in order to find efficient coping strategy and treatment intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial factors affecting the suicide attempt in psychiatric patients. METHODS: Two hundred eighty patients who attempted suicide and admitted in the emergency room in 3 university hospitals from December 2003 to May 2006 were recruited in this study. The patients were interviewed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorder (SCID-RV), Lethality of Suicide Attempt Ratings Scale (LSARS) and Risk-Rescue Rating system (RRR). RESULTS: The suicide attempters have psychosocial characteristics of female preponderance, age 20-39, high school in educational level, married in marriage condition, inoccupation, house makers in occupation. Most of attempters used the nonsevere methods such as drug ingestion or wrist cutting, and selected home as the place of attempt. The delay until discovery was less than 4 hours for most suicide attempters, and the rate of asking for help directly or dropping clues were high. Major depressive disorder was the most common psychiatric illness among attempters. Conclusions: The present study would be the early stage to explore the risk factor and protect factor of suicidal attempt. This study suggests that the closed observation to potential-suicidal attempter in daily life is critical to protect against the fatal results due to suicidal attempts.