A dimensional approach of suicidal personality.

UNLABELLED: Although the last decade research has shown that personality disorders (PD) represent a major risk in suicidal behavior, the role of personality dimensions in determining this type of behavior hasn't been yet studied thoroughly.

AIM: we intend to highlight some personality traits that may induce a suicidal behavior in patients diagnosed with PD.

METHODS: the sample consisted of 131 patients with PD, 46 of them presenting both a personality disorder and suicide behavior (suicidal ideation/suicide attempt). The personality dimensions were studied using the Temperament and Character Inventory (T.C.I.) developed by Robert Cloninger. Suicide risk was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), Module C- Suicide Ideas.

RESULTS: although the sample was analyzed in Clusters DSM type A, B, C and an analyze of co morbidities with the Axe I was also made, the analyze was taken further in our attempt to find a common factor that would differentiate the non-suicidal patients from the suicidal ones. The evident result appeared in two character dimensions that are highly related with suicide attempts.

CONCLUSION: self-conducting and cooperativeness could be considered marker-dimensions in a quick evaluation of suicide risk.