Personality subtypes of suicidal adults.

Full Abstract

Research into personality factors related to suicidality suggests substantial variability among suicide attempters. A potentially useful approach that accounts for this complexity is personality subtyping. As part of a large sample looking at personality pathology, this study used Q-factor analysis to identify subtypes of 311 adult suicide attempters using Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-II personality profiles. Identified subtypes included internalizing, emotionally dysregulated, dependent, hostile-isolated, psychopathic, and anxious somatizing. Subtypes differed in hypothesized ways on criterion variables that address their construct validity, including adaptive functioning, Axis I and II comorbidity, and etiology-related variables (e.g., history of abuse). Furthermore, dimensional ratings of the subtypes predicted adaptive functioning above DSM-based diagnoses and symptoms.

Author information

Author/s: Ortigo, Kile M (KM); Westen, Drew (D); Bradley, Bekh (B);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. kortigo(-atsign-)emory.edu

Grants: MH-62377 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The Journal of nervous and mental disease (J Nerv Ment Dis), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 197 (issue 9) : pp 687-94

Dates: Created 2009/09/15; Completed 2009/09/24;

PMID: 19752649, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/24/2009, IMS Date: )

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