Analyzed importance of previous suicidal behavior for treatment of alcoholics. Of 72 patients, 21 had previously seriously threatened or attempted suicide. Compared to other alcoholics, those with previous suicidal behavior had similar attrition rate, were not more troublesome in treatment, and had same rate of favorable outcome during third year…

A vignette depicting classical features of major depression was presented to subjects along with questions related to mental health literacy. Responses of those with major depression were compared to those of a control group. Results demonstrated that despite increased professional contact by those with major depression and suicidal ideation,…

Study assesses self-destructive behavior in a group of inpatients who have dissociative disorders compared to those who report few dissociative symptoms. Results reveal that these patients more frequently engage in self-destructive behaviors, use more methods of self-injury, and begin to injure themselves at an earlier age then patients who do not…

Interviews parasuicide patients in 13 European countries to study self-reported intention involved in parasuicide. The main findings is that parasuicide patients in different countries tend to indicate that similar types of intentions are involved in their acts of parasuicide, and that the intentions do not vary greatly with gender or age.…

Compares the level of suicide intent among female and male parasuicide patients from various European regions. Although some statistical significant differences in level of suicide intent between the regions and genders were found, the effect sizes of these relationships were so small that the differences have neither theoretical nor practical…

Examines construct validity and psychometric properties of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale in adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Confirmatory factor analysis provides support for the fit of the 28-item, four-factor model. Results of regression analyses reveal that high scores on the repulsion by life and the attraction to death subscales…

Risk factors for suicide include psychiatric disorders, social factors, psychological factors, and biologic and genetic factors. Important knowledge about why people commit suicide has been obtained from 20 psychological autopsy studies of suicide victims carried out over the past 40 years. Based upon these studies, recommendations are offered for…

The association between help-seeking and nearly lethal suicide attempts was evaluated using data from a population-based, case-control study. Measures of help-seeking included type of consultant contacted, and whether suicide was discussed. Findings suggest efforts to better understand the role of help-seeking in suicide prevention deserves…

Data from therapists who were treating 26 patients when they committed suicide were utilized to identify warning signs. Problems in communication between patient and therapist were identified as factors interfering with crisis recognition. Evaluation of the identified affects and behaviors may help therapists recognize a suicide crisis. (BF)

The articles in this special issue from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of nearly lethal suicide attempts represents an important contribution to research on suicidal behavior. This commentary highlights certain aspects of this line of research as well as comments on the findings of the CDC study and their relationship…

Examined Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation (MSSI) scores for 198 suicidal men during suicidal crisis, prior to entry into treatment study, and again at 1-month and 12-month follow ups. Found evidence for decreased suicidality, but this was interpreted as the gradual action of interpersonal support, rather than as emotional catharsis. (BF)

Presents case of psychotherapist and 40-year-old female client whom he sees twice weekly in individual sessions. Describes client's symptoms and progress over 2.5 years of therapy and focuses on client's inability to pay therapy costs. Comments and advice to therapist regarding case are offered by Paul Rosen, Barent Walsh, Michael Stone, and…

Psychiatric inpatients admitted for suicidal danger were surveyed regarding their views on the benefits/limitations of written no-suicide agreements. These inpatients, for the most part, rated written no-suicide agreements in a positive manner and in ways consistent with clinical opinion expressed in a number of qualitative/expert opinion…

This study examined factors associated with the medical severity of suicide attempts focusing on demographic characteristics, and circumstances of the suicide attempt. Results show that young age was significantly associated with a nearly lethal suicide attempt. Prior attempts, hopelessness, depression, and help-seeking were significantly and…

Among affectively ill patients followed for up to 14 years, 36 committed suicide, 120 attempted suicide, and 373 had no recorded suicide attempt. Comparing these three groups revealed that suicide completed within 12 months was predicted by clinical but not personality variables, and suicide beyond 12 months was predicted by newly derived…