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Personality Patterns of Suicide Attempters: Gender Differences in Ukraine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2013

Vsevolod A. Rozanov*
Affiliation:
Mechnikov Odessa National University (Ukraine)
Andrey A. Mid'ko
Affiliation:
Mechnikov Odessa National University (Ukraine)
*
Corresponding concerning this article should be addressed to Vsevolod A. Rozanov. Odessa National Mechnikov University, Dvoryanskaya str, 2, 65026 - Odessa (Ukraine). E-mail: rozanov@te.net.ua, vsevolod.rozanov@mail.ru

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the complete ‘pattern’ of a suicide attempter (SA) within the set of Big Five traits. Two models were used: M1, which includes the five main dimensions of Big Five in the analysis; and M2, which includes facets of those dimensions which were identified as important in M1. The study consisted of a group of SA (men – 326, women – 299) and a group of healthy volunteers (HV) (men – 143, women – 190) with a similar age range. Discriminant analysis (DA) showed that the factors most significant in discriminating the personality pattern of a male SA are (in decreasing order): (E) Extraversion, (N) Neuroticism, (C) Conscientiousness and (O) Openness; and for a female SA these factors were (E) Extraversion, (C) Conscientiousness and (A) Agreeableness. In M2 for men, the largest contribution to pattern recognition is (N3) Depression. Moreover, in M2 for men significant characteristics were (in descending order): (E6) Positive Emotions, (O1) Fantasy, (E4) Activity, and also (N2) Angry Hostility, (C3) Dutifulness, (C4) Achievement Striving, (C2) Order and (O6) Values; and for women: (E4) Activity, (C6) Deliberation, (C2) Order, (A6) Tender-Mindedness, (E5) Excitement Seeking, (E6) Positive Emotions, (C4) Achievement Striving, (A2) Straightforwardness, (C5) Self-Discipline and (E1) Warmth. Analysis of the obtained data demonstrates that suicide attempts amongst males, can largely be associated with personality variables reflecting negative emotions; while female suicide attempts are primarily associated with variables regarding activity and self-regulation.

En este estudio, se ha intentado investigar el patrón completo de un suicida potencial (SP) dentro de los rasgos del modelo Big Five. Se usaron dos modelos: M1 que incluía las cinco dimensiones del modelo en el análisis; y M2, que incluía aspectos de aquéllas dimensiones consideradas relevantes en M1. El estudio estaba compuesto por un grupo de SP (326 hombres y 299 mujeres) y un grupo de voluntarios sanos (143 hombres y 190 mujeres) con un rango de edad similar. El análisis discriminante, mostró que los factores más significativos en la discriminación de los patrones de personalidad de un hombre (SP) eran (en orden decreciente): (E) Extraversión; (N) Neuroticismo; (C) Conciencia; y (O) franqueza; y para una mujer (SP): (E) Extraversión; (C) Conciencia; y (A) Agradabilidad. En M2 para hombres, la mayor contribución al patrón de reconocimiento fue (N3) Depresión. Es más, en M2 para hombres las características significativas fueron (en orden descendiente): (E6) Emociones positivas; (O) Fantasía; (E4) Actividad; y también (N2) Enfado-hostilidad; (C3) Obediencia; (C4) Consecución de logro; (C2) Orden; y (O6) Valores; y para mujeres (E4) Actividad; (C6) Deliberación; (C2) Orden; (A6) Ingenuidad; (E5) Búsqueda de sensaciones; E6) Emociones positivas; (C4) Consecución de logro; (A2) Franqueza; (C5) Autodisciplina y (E1) Calidez. El análisis de los datos obtenidos demuestra que el intento de suicidio entre hombres puede, perfectamente, asociarse con variables de personalidad que reflejan emociones negativas; mientras que las mujeres que intentan suicidarse suelen asociarse con variables referidas a la actividad y la auto-regulación.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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