Anger and impulsivity in adolescents attempting suicide [Intihar girişiminde bulunan ergenlerde öfke ve dürtüsellik]

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate anger and impulsivity in adolescent suicide attempters between the ages of 12 and 18, compared with control group; investigate the relation between hostility, impulsivity and suicide intent. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six adolescent patients between the ages of 12 and 18 referred to the Marmara University Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Policlinic because of attempted suicide between June 2009 and May 2010, were included in the study. Thirty-four healthy subjects were selected as control group. Clinical assessment of participants was made with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Life Time Version. Adolescents were also evaluated with the Spielberg State Trait Anger Expression Inventory and Barratt's Impulsivity Scale. The seriousness of attempted suicide in adolescents was determined with the Suicide Intent Scale. Results: Average total and subscores (except anger control subscore) of anger and impulsivity scales were found higher in adolescents attempting suicide than in control group (p<0.01). We found no relation between suicide intent, anger and impulsivity (p>0.05). Conclusion: Anger and impulsivity merit attention in adolescent attempted suicides. Additionally, our results reinforce the need for further studies investigating the relation between personality traits, psychiatric, familial and social factors for better understanding of the effect of anger and impulsivity in adolescent suicide behavior. © Marmara Medical Journal, Published by Galenos Publishing.