Cross-validation of a predictive scale for subsequent suicidal behaviour in an Italian sample

Br J Psychiatry. 1976 Feb:128:137-40. doi: 10.1192/bjp.128.2.137.

Abstract

A six-point prodictive scale for parasuicide repetition developed by Buglass and Horton (1974a) was tested on a group of patients admitted for parasuicide to a psychiatric ward of one of the city hospitals of Verona. The scale gave a range of probability of repetition within 12 months of 15 per cent at a score of o up to 45-5 per cent at the scores 3, 4, 5 and 6. Moreover the scale discriminated significantly between repeaters and non-repeaters. Items significantly associated with repetition in the Italian sample, which are not represented by the six-point scale were: previous parasuicide not admitted to hospital, violence received, alcohol taken at time of act, less than one year at the present address.

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Population Dynamics
  • Probability
  • Sex Ratio
  • Social Class
  • Suicide*
  • Suicide, Attempted / epidemiology
  • Violence