An Analysis with Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale on Patients Who Attempted to Recurrent Suicide

Abstract

Aim: This study was actualized in order to see whether the patients who applied to the emergency service based on suicide would repeat this situation, to overtake again also to take necessary precautions.

Materials and Methods: A total of 910 folders of patients who were admitted to Adiyaman University Medical Faculty Education and Research Hospital Emergency Service with suicide attempt between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014, were evaluated retrospectively. Eventually 148 patients with recurrent suicide attempts were reached. Fifty-two patients voluntarily participated in the study. Rotter internal-external locus of control scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Barratt impulsiveness scale tests were applied to those patients. As a control group, 51 patients who attempted suicide once and 45 healthy subjects who were never involved in suicide attempts were included in the study.

Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of age and sex. According to the Rotter scale, both groups attempting suicide were found to be more external-focused than the group without any suicide attempts. On the contrary, there is no difference among those attempting suicide. According to Barratt impulsiveness scale scores, patients who attempted suicide once were more impulsive than patients who attempted suicide recurrently.

Conclusion: Barratt impulsiveness scale and Rosenberg self-esteem scale can be used to evaluate the risk of recurrent suicide attempts in patients who has single suicide attempted. Since the Rotter scale can make a distinction between healthy individuals and those who attempt suicide, it can be used for screening in high-risk groups for suicide attempts, especially for adolescents.