3214.0: Monday, October 22, 2001 - Board 3

Abstract #29713

Risk factors of suicidal attempt: a cross-section survey of Taiwanese young army recruits

TSUNG-TSAIR Yang, MD, PhD, Pro1, Yueh-Ming Tai, MD1, and Ming Chang, MD2. (1) Medical Department, Military Psychiatric Center, No 60 Hsing-Ming Road, Pei-Tou District, Taipei, Taiwan, 011-8862-28930308, y9103084@ms32.hinet.net, (2) Medical Department, Miliatry Psychiatric Center, Taiwan, No 60 Hsing-Ming Road, Pei-Tou District, Taipei

This study tried to clarify the relationship between history of previous suicide and depression, anxiety and suicide idea of young men. Method: Previous suicide history, demographic data, Zung°¦s self-administrated Anxiety scale (SAS), Zung°¦s self-administrated Depression scale (SDS) were self-administered by 1,039 Taiwanese army recruits during the first week of their entry. A psychiatrist interviewed all the recruits who were suspected as with psychiatric problem by their squad-leaders. Results: 11.6% of recruits admitted suicidal attempt (SH group); about 60% of SH group reported only once previous suicide history (SH1 group) and 40% reported more than once suicide history (SH2+ group). The comparison between SH group and the rest of our sample, who answered no past suicide history (NSH group), showed that SH group had higher percentage of unemployment status, separated parents, non-drug crime records, family history of psychosis, family history of suicide, and higher means of SAS score, SDS score, as well as lower means of general satisfactory score and mastery score about economic, health, emotion, social and family relationship. The comparison between SH1 group and SH2+ group showed higher SDS score, higher SAS score and lower satisfactory of SH2+ group were statistically significant different from those of SH1 group. The study population with higher frequency of previous suicide attempt were positively associated with past psychiatric history, with attempting to see a psychiatrist, with probably psychiatric disorder suspected by the investigator, and suicidal idea. In Taiwan army recruitment population, suicide attempt, psychiatric disorder and suicidal idea are highly related each other.

Learning Objectives: From the results of this research, the investigators attempted to demonstrate the vulnerability of young army recruits with previously suicidal attempt. The vulnerable factors include family history of psychosis and suicide, past history of psychiatric disorder, unemployment, and crime, present status of higher anxiety, depression, and unsatisfaction for life. From the viewpoint of public health, early psychiatric consultation should be performed in the stressfully military milieu.

Keywords: Risk Factors, Suicide

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA