Hopelessness and low-intent in parasuicide.

Parasuicide is usually associated with low suicidal intent and research data show that rising rates remain a challenging clinical and research problem. Hopelessness, a core characteristic of depression, appears to be the link between depression and suicidal behavior in high-risk patients. Previous research in this regard focused largely on hopelessness as a correlate of suicide, attempted suicide, serious suicidal intent, and as a predictor of eventual suicide among serious suicidal ideators in the absence of a recent suicide attempt. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between hopelessness and low suicidal intent in a cohort of 337 hospitalized adult parasuicide patients referred to a general hospital psychiatric unit. Within 24-48 hours after admission, all patients, once alert, underwent an individual detailed clinical interview and one of three assessments, viz., they were rated on the Beck Hopelessness Scale, The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale or, DSM III criteria for depression. Results support the positive relationship between hopelessness and suicidal behavior in low-intent patients, previously demonstrated in high-intent patients. The need to also address hopelessness in low-intent patients as part of an effective therapeutic intervention strategy is discussed.