Suicide among psychiatric patients in Iran; a demographical, cross-cultural study

ABSTRACT

Files of 41 patients admitted to the psychiatric ward after serious suicide attempts [or ideations] were examined to uncover demographical variables associated with attempting to take one's own life. Age, sex, marital and occupational strata of successful suicide attempts are compared with the unsuccessful cases, and the findings are contrasted with reports from other countries. While there is a lot of overlapping in the findings for the two Iranian groups, cultural differences are observed too, suggesting the need for further research. Complications and difficulties inherent in investigations on suicide are discussed and recommendations for efficient preventive measures made