Retrospective review of patients' charts and other records was used to
collect data on diagnoses, psychosocial characteristics, and subsequent
suicide attempts of 45 patients who made contingent suicide threats,
defined as threatened suicide or exaggerated suicidality reported to
increase the likelihood of hospital admission, and 92 suicidal patients who
did not make such threats. Patients who made contingent suicide threats
were more likely to be substance dependent, antisocial, homeless,
unmarried, and in legal difficulty. Subsequent suicide attempts were
uncommon in both groups. The authors suggest that hospitalization should
not be used as a substitute for social services, substance abuse treatment,
and legal assistance for patients who make contingent suicide threats.
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