Repetition of parasuicide: a predictive study.

Medically treated parasuicides in a Norwegian county were monitored for more than 6 years, and variables predicting repetition of the parasuicide were identified. Numerous variables were found to be associated with repetition of the parasuicide when studied retrospectively. In prospective analyses of patients with no history of parasuicide, only sexual abuse (both sexes), alcohol abuse, and report of own psychiatric problems as the main concern at the time of the parasuicide (females only) were significant predictors of repetition. The results indicated that predictors of repetition are highly dependent upon the stage of the "suicidal career" the patients are in.