Dimensions of suicidal behavior according to patient reports

Five factor analyses with limitations exploredthe Suicidal Intent Scale (SIS) subscales reflectingsuicidal behavior dimensions. This larger sample studyconducts an exploratory factor analysis of the SIS. Twolarge samples of suicide attempters (N= 435 andN= 252) from a general hospital were studied. The validityof SIS subscales obtained from the factor analysiswas investigated by examining the association betweenthe subscales and clinical variables. There were two factors:expected lethality and planning. In both samples,male gender and depression tended to be associatedwith higher scores in both subscales (small to mediumeffect sizes). Hospitalization was associated with higherscores in both SIS subscales (medium to large effects)suggesting that these subscales were reasonably goodpredictors of suicide attempt severity. Clinicians assessingpatient reports to establish the severity of suicide attemptsneed to ask questions regarding both dimensions:expected lethality and planning.