Personality disorder, personality traits, impulsive violence, and completed suicide in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the association between personality disorders, personality traits, impulsive violence, and suicide.

METHOD

Personality disorders and traits in 43 adolescent suicide victims and 43 community controls were assessed from the parents, using semistructured interviews and self-report forms.

RESULTS

Probable or definite personality disorders were more common in suicide victims than in controls, particularly Cluster B (impulsive-dramatic) and C type (avoidant-dependent) disorders. Suicide victims also showed greater scores on lifetime aggression, even after controlling for differences in psychopathology between suicides and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Personality disorders and the tendency to engage in impulsive violence are critical risk factors for completed suicide.