Relation between Suicide Probability and Self-Criticism among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Younis, Amal; Gado, Islam; Abd Ghaffar, Souzan Abd El Menem; Shalaby, Mervat Hosny

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2024.340985

Relation between Suicide Probability and Self-Criticism among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Clinical demonstrator of Psychiatric &Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University.

² Assistant of Psychiatric &Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University.

³ Professor of Psychiatric &Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University

10.21608/tsnj.2024.340985

Abstract

Background: Self-criticism is seen as the main of psychopathology in Major depressive
disorder (MDD). It has been demonstrated that higher suicide rates and more severe MDD are
linked to self-criticism. Therefore, it is important for psychiatric nurses through their
interaction with patients with MDD to assess patients’ self-criticism. This assessment would
guide them in the early identification of this risk factor to open the possibility of preventing
suicide in the context of clinical practice. Aim: to determine the relation between suicide
probability and self-criticism among patients with MDD. Methods: Design: Descriptive
correlational design was utilized in this study. Setting: outpatient psychiatric department of
Tanta University Hospital affiliated to Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Subject: The study subject was composed of a convenient sample of 150 patients diagnosed
with MDD per DSM-5. Tools: suicide probability questionnaire (Cull & Gill, 1982), and self-
criticizing/attacking and self-reassuring scale (Gilbert et al., 2004). Results: There was a
highly statistically significant positive correlation between suicide probability and self-
criticism. Conclusion: This study concluded that there was a high level of self-criticism and
suicidal probability among patients with MDD. Also, higher levels of self-criticizing scale are
associated with higher probability of suicide. Recommendation: Psychiatric nurses should
assess self-criticism routinely for patients with MDD and develop psycho-educational
programs that target self-criticism to decrease suicide probability.