Suicide is a global phenomenon which is a silent epidemic. Suicide attempts have far-fetched effects of community and public health. Impulsive or unplanned suicide attempts constitute a major part of the suicide attempts. A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out to assess the sociodemographic profile, level of hopelessness, level of suicide intent and stressful life events in impulsive suicide attempters and to assess the correlation of hopelessness, suicidal intent and stressful life event among them. Those admitted in a tertiary care center with any mode of suicide attempt were included in the study. A total of 150 patients were included after meeting inclusion criteria. Beck’s Hopelessness Scale and Beck’s Suicide Intent Scale were administered to assess hopelessness and suicide intent. Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale was used to assess life events. Based on the score of 4 items in suicide intent scale, impulsivity score was calculated and those who scored <6 were considered as impulsive attempters. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 24.  61.3% (N=92) of the sample were impulsive attempters. Among them 63% were females (N =58) and 37% males (N =34). Most common psychiatric diagnosis was adjustment disorder (27.2%) followed by personality disorder (22.9%) and alcohol dependence syndrome (17.4%). Suicide intent was positively correlated with hopelessness, stressful life events score and number of stressful life events. A negative correlation was obtained for desirable life event score and suicide intent. The correlation of suicide intent score with undesirable life events was weak. Impulsive suicide attempts need more careful assessment and evaluation to prevent further suicide attempts and completed suicides. Accurate evaluation and management of impulsive trait or state may help in this.

Keywords: impulsive suicide attempts, hopelessness, suicide intent, stressful life events.

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Dr Varada Panikkath

Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, ACME, Pariyaram, Kannur, Kerala, 670502, India

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