Role of Demographic and Personality Factors in Mediating Vulnerability to Suicide Attempts under Intoxication with Alcohol: A Record-based Exploratory Study

BACKGROUND: Identifying those who are likely to make suicide attempts under alcohol intoxication has important implications for management and prevention of further suicidal behavior. AIMS: To identify the frequency of suicide attempts made under the influence of alcohol and the percentage of impulsive suicide attempts among them. We also aimed to identify predictors of attempted suicide under intoxication with alcohol. SETTING AND DESIGN: Record-based study carried out at a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical charts of consecutive suicide attempters (n = 147) who presented to the crisis intervention clinic from July 2013 to June 2014 were reviewed, and relevant data were extracted. The participants were divided into three groups – nonusers of alcohol (n = 85), alcohol users who did not attempt under intoxication (n = 31) and alcohol users who attempted under intoxication (n = 31). These groups were compared on various sociodemographic and clinical variables. Logistic regression was done to identify predictors of suicide attempt under intoxication. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square (χ(2)) test, one-way ANOVA (F) test and backward stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: About 21.08% of all suicide attempts occurred under alcohol intoxication. Such subjects were more likely to be older (F = 12.428, P < 0.001), male (χ(2) = 87.367, P < 0.001), married (χ(2) = 6.787, P = 0.034), employed (χ(2) = 41.778, P < 0.001), and fewer years of formal schooling (F = 3.312, P = 0.039). Physical methods (hanging) were used more often in this group (χ(2) = 19.510, P = 0.012). In regression analysis, only marital status and living condition emerged as predictors of attempt under intoxication (odds ratios 4.52 [confidence interval (CI) 1.34–15.24, P = 0.015] and 5.67 [CI 1.17–27.39, P = 0.031] respectively). CONCLUSION: Certain demographic features may help us in identifying those who are more likely to make attempts under intoxication. The role of personality factors as potential mediators of such behavior needs further exploration.