Temperament in suicidal and non-suicidal psychiatric inpatients

Suicide is a serious public health problem. In the international literature there is evidence to support the notion that certain temperaments and personality traits are often associated with suicidal behavior. In this study, 150 psychiatric inpatients were investigated using the TEMPS-A, the MMPI-2 and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and evaluated for suicide risk through the critical items of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Statistical analysis, including linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis, showed that suicide risk contributed to the prediction of hopelessness. Among the temperaments, only the Hyperthymic temperament, as a protective factor, and the Dys/Cyc/Anx temperament contributed significantly to the prediction of hopelessness. Irritable temperament and Social Introversion were protective factors for suicidal risk. Hopelessness and depression were associated with higher suicidal behavior and ideation, but, unexpectedly, depression as measured by the MMPI did not contribute significant to the multiple regression. The present study indicated that, although suicidal psychiatric patients have MMPI-2’s profiles in the pathologic range, they exhibit several differences from nonsuicidal patients. Patients at risk of suicide have specific temperaments as well as personality and defense mechanism profiles. They are more social introverted, depressed and psychasthenic, and use hysterical and schizoid mechanisms more often. Generalizability of the findings was limited by the small sample size, mix of BPD-I, BPD-II, MDD and psychotic disorder patients.