Stressful life events, hopelessness, and coping strategies among impulsive suicide attempters

BACKGROUND: Suicides are among the most important causes of death in the economically productive population. Characteristics of impulsive and nonimpulsive suicide attempters may differ which would have a bearing on planning preventive measures. AIMS: This study aimed to characterize the clinical and psychological profile of impulsive and nonimpulsive suicide attempters. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This retrospective comprehensive chart-based study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. METHODS: The study utilized records of patients over a period of 3 years. An attempt was considered impulsive if the time between suicidal idea and the attempt was <30 min. Stressful life events were assessed using presumptive stressful life events scale; hopelessness was evaluated using Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and coping was measured using Coping Strategies Inventory Short Form. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Impulsive and nonimpulsive suicide attempters were compared using appropriate inferential statistical tests. RESULTS: Of 316 patients, 151 were classified as having an impulsive suicidal attempt (47.8% of the sample). The impulsive and nonimpulsive suicide attempters did not differ on demographic characteristics. Use of natural plant products was more common in impulsive attempters (27.2% vs. 12.7%), while physical methods like hanging was less common (0.7% vs. 7.3%). Those with an impulsive attempt were more likely to have a recent contact with a health professional (24.5% vs. 4.5%). Impulsive suicide attempters had higher scores on BHS (Mann–Whitney U = 7680.5, P < 0.001), and had recollected greater number of stressors. CONCLUSION: Impulsive suicide attempters differ from nonimpulsive suicide attempters in clinical features like methods of attempt, presence of hopelessness, and stressors.