Project Summary

David C. Purselle, M.S., M.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of Emory University, aims to study the differences between African Americans and whites who attempt suicide. Recent analyses of a database of suicides in Fulton County, Ga., suggest there may be different suicide risk factors in African Americans than in whites. One possible factor is psychiatric diagnosis. A clinical sample of suicide attempters requiring medical or surgical treatment in Atlanta, reveals that psychotic disorders are more prevalent in African-American attempters than in white attempters. In the proposed project, Dr. Purselle aims to develop a comprehensive database on serious suicide attempters and then use the database to elucidate diagnostic differences between the racial groups. A semi-structured diagnostic interview methodology and measures of personality and temperament, premorbid functioning, social support, and health utilization will characterize the medically serious suicide attempters. African-American and white attempters will then be compared for prevalence of specific psychiatric diagnoses.

Program Area: OTHER\Suicide

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