DRUG USE AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS: THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY FACTORS

Abstract

This study on suicide attempts is part of a large research project on dependent behavior in adolescents and young adults. 228 subjects aged 14–25 (107 “drug abusers,” 121 controls) from the French speaking part of Switzerland were evaluated on the basis of a semi-structured interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview), enabling a DSM-IV diagnosis, and self-reports (SSS by Zuckermann, MMPI-2, IDI by Hirschfeld). 31.5% of “drug abuser” males and 41.2% of “drug abuser” females committed one or more suicide attempts. The results of a logistic regression show that the significant factor explaining suicide attempts in drug users is emotional reliance for males and experience-seeking for females.

• “Drug abuse”
• Suicide attempts
• Sensation seeking
• Emotional dependency
• Gender

RESUMEN

El estudio de las tentativas de suicidio forma parte de un vasto proyecto de investigación sobre las adicciones durante la adolescencia y la juventud. La población consta de 228 sujetos de 14 à 25 años, (107 consumidores de drogas y 121 como groupo control, todos ellos de la Suiza francoparlante Los sujetos fueron evaluados con el Mini International Neuro psychiatry Interview (que permite establecer un diagnóstico DSM-IV) administrado bajo la forma de entrevista semi estructurada; y dos autocuestionarios SSS de Zuckermann y el MMPI-2 IDI de Hirschfeld. El 31% de los adictos hombres y el 42% de las adictas mujeres de la población estudiada han intentado uno o varios intentos de suicidio. El resultado de la regresión logística muestra que para los hombres, el factor significativo que explica los intentos de suicidio es la dependecia emocional, mientras que para las mujeres seria la búsqueda de sensaciones.

RÉSUMÉ

La recherche portant sur les tentatives de suicide fait partie d'un projet plus vaste qui concerne les conduites de dépendance chez l'adolescent et le jeune adulte. 228 sujets âgés de 14 à 25 ans (107 toxicomanes et 121 sujets témoins) ont été évalués dans la partie francophone de la Suisse au moyen d'un entretien semi-structuré (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) permettant un diagnostic DSM-IV, ainsi que des auto-questionnaires (SSS de Zuckermann, MMPI-2, IDI de Hirschfeld). 31.5% des toxicomanes hommes et 41.2% des toxicomanes femmes ont commis une ou plusieurs tentatives de suicide. Les résultats de l'analyse logistique montrent une différence significative le facteur important expliquant les tentatives de suicide étant la dépendance émotionnelle pour les hommes et la recherche d'expérience pour les femmes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Monique Bolognini

Monique Bolognini, Ph.D., Sociologist, is the Head of Research Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Lausanne (Switzerland). Her main fields of interest are methodological aspects in research on adolescence (development of interview protocols and self-report instruments), dependent behavior (anorexia, bulimia, drug abuse), stress and protective factors in mental health evaluations, and gender differences.

Jacques Laget

Jacques Laget, M.D., is the Head of the Hospital Unit for Children and Adolescents, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Lausanne (Switzerland). His main interests refer to drug abuse and eating disorder treatments.

Bernard Plancherel

Bernard Plancherel, Ph.D., is psychologist and statistician, Research Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Lausanne (Switzerland). He is also consultant and lecturer in statistics and methodology at the Psychological Department of the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). His field of interest is focused on adolescence, more specifically, stress, mental health, coping, and self-esteem.

Philippe Stéphan

Philippe Stéphan, M.D., is consultant at the Outpatient Unit for adolescents, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Lausanne (Switzerland). He is mainly interested in addiction epidemiology and alexithymia.

Maurice Corcos

Maurice Corcos, M.D., is a psychoanalyst, Institute Mutualiste Montsouris, Adolescent and Young Adult Department of Psychiatry (Paris, France). His main interest is focused on depression related to addiction and eating disorders.

Olivier Halfon

Olivier Halfon, M.D., is Professor, Head of the Hospital Unit for Children and Adolescents, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Lausanne (Switzerland). His main research interests are focused on addictive behaviors (bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, drug abuse, and suicidal attempts), primarily from a neurobiological and epidemiological point of view.