Trait aggression in suicide attempters: A pilot study

Abstract

Suicide attempt is a potent risk factor of subsequent suicide. Understanding the characteristics of suicide attempters is important for preventing suicide. The authors investigated aggression in medically serious suicide attempters at an emergency department. Trait aggression was evaluated in 55 suicide attempters and 71 healthy individuals as a control group using the Japanese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ). Total BAQ scores (t = 2.782, P = 0.006) and the hostility scores (t = 3.735, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the suicide attempters than the controls. It suggested that to focus on aggression and its management is one of the key components for preventing suicide.