Studying the Effects of Levels of Perceived Social Support and Problem Solving Skills on Suicidal Tendencies among Patients with Suicidal Symptoms of

This study aimed at examining the varying features of crisis cases with suicide attempts as compared to those crisis cases with no suicide history and also with normal controls. This comparison was established not only on the basis of depression and anxiety symptoms but also on problem solving skills and perceived social support. The sample of the study was composed of 227 participants; 83 of whom were crisis patients who have attempted suicide (suicidal group), 64 were patients suffering from acute crises but had no suicide history (Crisis group), and 70 having no psychological problems of any kind (normal control group). Based on whether age was a control variable, as expected, suicidal cases had significantly more depressive symptoms than the other two groups. Furthermore, non-suicidal crisis cases reported more depressive symptoms than the normal controls. Regarding anxiety symptoms and perceived social support there were no significant differences between suicidal and non-suicidal crisis cases. However, both crisis groups suffered more from anxiety symptoms and perceived less social support as compared to the normal controls. Concerning the problem solving skills, crisis cases with no suicidal history did not significantly differ from the normal control group. Whereas, both of these groups as compared to the crisis cases with suicidal history, revealed better problem solving skills. Finally, according to MANOVA and regression analyses carried out for the suicidal cases, high anxiety symptoms, low level of perceived social support from family, and “impulsive problem solving style” emerged as important risk factors for suicide. These findings were discussed in relation to the relevant literature.