Family structure and personality traits in suicidal attempters: comparison between user and non- user of mental health services

Different factors such as family and personality are related to suicidal attempt which play as protective role and risk factors. The present study aimed to investigate the differences between personality traits and family functions of suicide attempters who used and didn’t use mental health services. In this cross sectional case (non-user)-control (user) study, 100 suicide attempters (36 male and 64 female) in the age range of 18 to 60 years who had at least once referred to the Poison Center, were selected by convenience sampling that were evaluated by using the NEO-Five factor inventory, family assessment device and barriers for using of health services inventory. Independent t-test and chi square were used to analyze the data. Results showed that in the 5 data collection period 43% of the suicidal patients didn’t referred to psychiatrist or psychologist before suicidal attempt and 57% have used professional services. Although there were no significant differences between two groups in demographic factors but personality traits and family structure is different between the two groups.. Patients who didn’t meet psychiatrist were more introvert and neurotic; also, they had a pathologic family structure in communication, roles, affective involvement and overall family function. In order to make more use of mental health services, it should be focused on training and treatment plans about importance of emotion and appropriate emotional response for families with psychological and psychiatric patients.