Before discussing the findings, it is important to acknowledge the study’s limitations. The data were cross-sectional and so causal inferences cannot be made. Generalizability of results to community populations, other clinical populations, and to individuals showing lower levels of aggression is unclear. Because results pertaining to PA are novel and were not hypothesized, the replicability of present findings is unclear. Further study of the link between PA and suicidal behavior among substance abusers and in other populations is necessary. Although suicidal ideation and attempt are important outcomes in their own right, it is unclear what relevance the data have to death by suicide. Large cohorts will be necessary in order to determine whether suicide death, in addition to ideation and attempt, is linked to RA and PA.
