Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire Research Articles

Prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behavior among pregnant mothers in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSuicidal behavior among pregnant mothers is one of the most common psychiatric emergencies that require a major public health concern by researchers and mental health task forces. Pregnant mothers experience suicidal attempt, which is a fatal problem to end life. Therefore, there was a need to assess the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behavior among pregnant mothers to integrate mental health care, particularly suicide, with maternal management.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 pregnant mothers in the Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia. Suicidal behavior was assessed using revised suicidal behavior questionnaire (SBQ-R) with a total score of 3-18; those scoring ≥7 were considered as having Suicidal behavior. Data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors of suicidal behavior. Variables with a P-value less than 0.05 with 95% CI were considered statistically significant.ResultsIn this study, the overall prevalence of suicidal behavior among pregnant mothers was 47(9.3%) with 95% CI (7.1- 11.9). Regarding the factors; being unmarried [AOR = 5.69, 95% CI, (1.19, 27.23)], gestation age greater than 27 weeks, [AOR = 4.92, 95% CI (1.67, 14.53)], history of having chronic medical illness [AOR = 4.47, 95% CI (1.35, 14.85)], depression [AOR = 4.20, 95% CI (1.90, 9.28], and intimate partner violence [AOR = 7.60, 95% CI (3.27, 17.67)] were significantly associated with suicidal behavior at P value less than 0.05 and corresponding 95% CI.ConclusionPregnant mothers in the community had a high prevalence of suicidal behavior compared to studies conducted among general populations. It is better to include and implement the assessment of suicidal risk factors as a primary treatment package for pregnant mothers, training of health extension workers and other primary health workers on how to assess the risk of suicide among pregnant mothers is warranted.

Comparison of Non-suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Attempts in Relation to Anger Rumination.

Angry rumination (AR) defined as thinking about the causes and consequences of anger by focusing on the feelings and experiences of anger can trigger suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury. The purpose of this study was to compare subjects with non-suicidal self-injury and subjects with suicide attempts in relation to anger rumination and also to determine if there is a relationship between anger rumination with non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts, and if so, to determine the direction of this relationship. In this study, 42 subjects with suicide attempts and 42 subjects with non-suicidal self-injury were included. Sociodemographic Data Form, Beck Depression Inventory, and Anger Rumination Scale were applied to all participants, Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire to those with suicide attempts, and Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury to those with non-suicidal self-injury. Those with non-suicidal self-injury group had significantly higher thoughts of revenge (P = .038), angry afterthoughts (P = .047), and a higher total score of Anger Rumination Scale (P = .025) than those with suicide attempts group. The Beck Depression Inventory scores of suicide attempts group were significantly higher than those of non-suicidal self-injury group (P = .001). A positive and significant correlation was found between Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire and Anger Rumination Scale-total score (r = 0.322, P = .037) and Beck Depression Inventory score (r = 0.440, P = .004). Individuals with non-suicidal self-injury have more anger rumination, angry afterthoughts, and revenge-related thoughts following anger experiences than individuals with suicide attempts. As the severity of suicidal behavior of individuals with suicide attempts increases, so does their anger rumination. Our study may shed light on a better understanding of non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts and even contribute to intervention programs for these behaviors.

Age Moderates the Relation between Sleep Problems and Suicide Risk

ABSTRACT Objectives This cross-sectional study examined whether age moderates the relation between sleep problems and suicide risk and investigated whether sleep problems are differentially associated with suicide risk in younger (18–40) and older (60+) adults. Methods MTurk workers (N = 733) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire–Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire, and demographic questions. Analysis of variance and linear regressions were utilized. Results Older adults scored lower on four PSQI components, symptoms of depression, and suicide risk than younger adults. Age significantly moderated the relation between sleep problems and suicide risk after controlling for gender and depressive symptoms, F(5, 635) = 72.38, p < .001. Sleep problems significantly related to suicide risk in younger adults (t = 6.47, p < .001) but not in older adults (t = 0.57, p = .57). Sleep medication use was related to suicide risk in both groups, whereas daytime dysfunction was related to suicide risk in older adults and sleep disturbances were related to suicide risk in younger adults. Conclusions The relation between sleep problems and suicide risk differs between younger and older adults. This study adds to the literature suggesting that sleep medications may not be appropriate for older adults. Clinical Implications Sleep problems are significantly related to suicide risk in younger adults but not older adults. Sleep medication use is associated with suicide risk regardless of age.

Psychological Variables as Determinants of Suicide Behaviour among Adolescents in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study investigated some psychological variables as determinants of suicide behaviour among adolescents in Rivers State, Nigeria. It adopted the correlational research design. The population of the study was the entire 785 students of the three federal government colleges in Rivers State who exhibited suicide behaviour. Using purposive sampling, these students who exhibited suicide behaviour were drawn and used for the study. Three research questions and three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significant. Two instrument namely suicide behaviour questionnaire (SBQ-R) by Osman et al and determinants of suicide behaviour (DSBQ) were used for the study. The SBQ-R was adapted and used to find out those that exhibited suicide behaviour while the DSBQ was a Likert type scale that contained two sections (A &amp; B). Section A contains instruction on how to respond to the questionnaire while section B contains 2 sub sections that contain items on depression and self-esteem which were the independent variables. Experts in measurement and evaluation validated the instrument while the reliability index for suicide behaviour was 0.85, 0.72 for depression and 0.82 for self-esteem using Cronbach via SPSS. Simple regression was used to answer research question 1 and 2 and the corresponding hypotheses while multiple regression was used to answer research question 3 and the corresponding hypothesis at 0.005 alpha level. Findings were that depression (p=0.003&lt;0.005), self-esteem (p=0.000&lt;0.005) and joint psychological variables (p=0.000&lt;0.005) relates significantly to suicide behaviour. Based on the findings it was recommended that professional counsellors should counsell adolescents on depression and self-esteem.

Social Variables as Determinants of Suicide Behaviour Among Adolescents in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study investigated some social variables as determinants of suicide behaviours among adolescents in Rivers State, Nigeria. It adopted the correlational research design. The population of the study was 785 students of the three federal Government Colleges in Rivers State who manifest suicide behaviour. Using purposive sampling, they were drawn to ensure that only those that elicited suicide behaviours were used for the study. Three research questions and three hypotheses were tested in the study at 0.005 level of significant. Two instrument named suicide behaviour questionnaire- revised (SBQ-R) and determinants of suicide behaviour questionnaire (DSBQ) were used for the study. The SBQ-R was adapted and used to find out those that exhibit suicide behaviour while DSBQ was used to gather information on the independent variables such as substance abuse and sexual abuse. Experts in measurement and evaluation validated the instruments. The reliability index was 0.85 for SBQ-R, 0.81 for substance abuse and 0.68 for sexual abuse using Cronbach via SPSS. Simple regression was used to answer research questions 1 and 2 and its corresponding hypotheses while multiple regression was used to answer research questions 3 and its corresponding hypothesis at 0.005 alpha level. Findings were that substance abuse (p=0.000&lt;0.005), sexual abuse (0.000&lt;0.005) and joint social variables (p=0.00&lt; 0.05) relates significantly with suicide behaviour. Based on the findings it was recommended that substances that are easily abused by adolescents should be kept out of their reach and Government parastatals like the Nigerian Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and CUSTOM officials that are in charge of ensuring that these dangerous substances do not see the light of the day should intensify their efforts in seizing and destroying them. Those that are traffickers of these substances should be counselled with therapies like CBT to help them stop trafficking dangerous substances. Perpetrators of sexual abuse should also be re-orientated, counselled and rehabilitated.

The Relationship Between Suicidal Behavior and Metacognitive Characteristics in Male Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder

Objective: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental disorder with impaired psychosocial functioning and carries a high risk for suicide. Previous studies have investigated the role of metacognitive considerations in individual behavioral differences and provided ample evidence of significant relationships between emotional processes, cognition, metacognitive beliefs, and behavior. A close relationship between metacognitive functions and personality disorders was suggested. This study investigated the relationship between the metacognitive characteristics of male patients with ASPD and suicidal behavior. Method: We included seventy-four patients diagnosed with ASPD according to DSM-5 criteria, who applied to Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, as the patient group and 74 healthy volunteers as the control group. Sociodemographic data form, Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ), Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (BSIS), Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to the participants. Results: The control and ASPD groups were similar in terms of age, years of education, educational and marital status, and place of residence (p&gt;0.05 for each). The MCQ and its subscales, BSIS, SBQ, BDI, and BAI scale scores, were significantly higher in the patient group (p&lt;0.05 for each). Patients who have previously attempted suicide have significantly higher MCQ- uncontrollability and danger (p=0.028), MCQ- need to control thoughts subscales (p=0.016), and BSIS, SBS, BDI, BAI (p&lt;0.001 for each) mean scores than those who have not attempted suicide. There was a positive correlation between SBQ and MCQ-cognitive confidence (p=0.04) and MCQ- need to control thoughts (p=0.01) subscales in the patient group. Conclusions: Metacognitive beliefs may be associated with the severity of suicidal behavior, depression, and anxiety symptoms in male patients with ASPD. The negative metacognitive functions, especially beliefs about the need to control thoughts, may help determine the risk of suicide in individuals with ASPD, and metacognitive therapy methods may be beneficial for those patients.

Measurement invariance of suicide screening measures across military branch

ABSTRACT Military suicide rates are near all-time highs. To help clinicians and researchers study suicide risk factors in military samples, the Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) developed a set of brief suicide-risk screening measures. While previous research has examined the reliability of these screening measures, it remains unclear if measurement differences exist across different military branches. This is an important omission given that establishing measurement equivalence or invariance (ME/I) across groups is a prerequisite for making group comparisons, which are necessary for accurately identifying and effectively intervening with groups at heightened risk. This study examined the ME/I of four MSRC screening measures (e.g., Depressive Symptom Index – Suicidality Subscale; Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire; Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire – Revised; Suicide Intent Scale) using a sample of 4,487 participants across military branches (Army; National Guard; Navy; Marine; Air Force) using a series of multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFA). We assessed configural, threshold, and loading invariance, with results indicating that the brief screening measures are fully invariant between individuals from different military branches and that these suicide screeners can be used to examine differences across branches in future research. Research and applied implications are discussed.

The association between COVID-19, personal wellbeing, depression, and suicide risk factors in Australian autistic adults.

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the world's population, with particularly negative effects on vulnerable populations, including autistic people. Although some consensus regarding specific impact on aspects of wellbeing and mental health in autism is starting to emerge, it is unclear whether the pandemic has increased suicide risk. The goals of this study were to examine (a) potential associations between COVID‐19 impact and depression, personal wellbeing, and suicide risk factors in Australian autistic adults and (b) age and gender effects. The COVID‐19 Impact Scale (CIS), Personal Wellbeing Index, Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Suicide Behavior Questionnaire, Revised (SBQ‐R), were administered to 111 autistic adults aged 20 to 71 years during the second wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia. COVID‐19 impact showed small associations with poorer personal wellbeing (r = −0.224, p = 0.023, [−0.409, −0.016]) and higher depressive symptoms (r = 0.268, p = 0.006, [0.056, 0.445]) and was not associated with the SBQ‐R suicide risk score (r = 0.081, p = 0.418, [−0.118, 0.264). No significant effects were identified for age. Although model results were similar for women and men, the strength of the associations between personal wellbeing and depression (z = −2.16, p = 0.015), and depression and SBQ‐R suicide risk (z = 1.961, p = 0.025), were stronger in women than in men. Qualitative analysis of an open response question from the CIS suggested that the pandemic had both positive and negative impacts on participants. The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a large impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the world's population, particularly vulnerable populations such as autistic people. It is not known if these impacts on mental health and wellbeing have increased suicide risk. Our findings suggest that the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic may be associated with poorer wellbeing and higher depression, but is not associated with suicide risk. Overall, autistic people reported both positive and negative impacts of the pandemic on their lives.

Suicidal Ideation and Mental Health: The Moderating Effect of Coping Strategies in the Police Force

The suicide rate in the police force (Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad-FFCCSS) is estimated to be greater than that of the general population. The objectives of this paper are to detect mental health problems, in particular depression and anxiety, and to analyze the moderating effect of coping strategies on the relation between mental health and suicide ideation in police officers. The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), the Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Brief Cope have all been used in the study. The sample consists of 98 Spanish police officers, of whom 91.8% were male. The results indicate that depression and anxiety can predict suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, it must be said that coping strategies do not have a moderating effect in the relation between mental health and suicidal ideation in this professional group.

Sensitivity is the dimension of temperament most associated with the progression from ideation to suicide attempts

BackgroundTo analyze the association between temperament (emotional and affective) and scrutinize the progression from suicide ideation to attempt, by using data from a large internet-based sample. MethodsIt is a cross-sectional study, based on the Brazilian Internet Study on Temperament and Psychopathology (BRAINSTEP). Temperament was assessed by the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS), and life-long suicidal behavior was determined by the adapted Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ-17). Odds ratios were obtained through multivariate logistic regression and a multiple linear regression were used in the analysis. According to the “ideation-to-action framework”, we performed analyzes using two different reference groups: no suicidal ideation and suicidal ideation. ResultsThe affective temperaments that showed the greatest association with suicide attempts were depressive, cyclothymic, and volatile. The temperaments that reflected higher associations for progression from ideation to suicide attempt were cyclothymic, depressive, and euphoric. Sensitivity was manifested as the emotional temperament with the strongest positive association with the severity of suicidal behavior, followed by desire and control. Stability was estimated as the emotional trait with the strongest negative association with the severity of suicidal behavior. LimitationsIt is not a population based sample. BRAINSTEP is a self-selected sample whose participants are mostly women, who are highly educated and young. ConclusionsOur results suggest that temperament assessment using AFECT model may be relevant to assess the risk for the progression from ideation to suicide attempts. These results strengthen the “ideation-to-action” framework that risk factors to suicide ideators can differ from suicide attempters.

Factors Related to the Level of Depression and Suicidal Behavior Among Men With Diagnosed Depression, Physically Ill Men, and Healthy Men.

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in people who die by suicide. Awareness of risk factors for suicide in depression is important for clinicians. The study was aimed at establishing models of factors related to the level of depression and suicidal behavior among men from three different groups—in men with depressive disorder, in comparison to men with physical disorder and healthy men. A total of 598 men were included in the study. The following questionnaires were used in research model: test with sociodemographic variables, AUDIT Test, Fagerström Test, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (Mini-COPE), Resilience Evaluation Questionnaire (KOP-26), Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire—Revised (SBQ-R) by Osman, and Gotland Male Depression Scale. In men with depression, the positive factors strongly related to the intensity of depression and suicidal behavior were as follows: vocational education, active coping, turning toward religion, social competence for resilience, and bachelor status. The factors negatively related to the intensity of depression and suicidal behavior in this group were as follows: unemployed status, student status, low satisfaction with the financial situation, having children, history of mental disorders in family, alcohol addiction, and seeking instrumental support. In the group of men with physical disorders, the following protection factors were identified: the medium or small city as a place of living, active coping, venting, and personal competence. The following risk factors were identified in this group: psychiatric treatment in the past. In the group of healthy men, the following protective factors were identified: the medium city as a place of living, positive reappraisal, planning abilities, and personal and social competence for resilience. In this group, the following risk factors were identified: vocational and higher education, student status, satisfaction with the financial situation, having more than one children, the occurrence of mental disorders in the family, the occurrence of alcohol abuse in the family, and use of psychoactive substances as a strategy of dealing with stress. The risk factors identified in this study should be included in the clinical assessment of depression and suicidal behavior risk in male patients. There are some protective factors identified, including productive coping and personal and social competencies, which can be developed and should be especially considered and strengthened in mental health promotion programs aimed at men.

Addictive behavior and suicidality in patients followed by the department of psychiatry in the region of southern tunisia

IntroductionAddictive behaviors and suicide have important risks that need to be explored for any patient followed at the department of psychiatry, possibly endangering his vital and psychosocial prognosis.ObjectivesOur study aims to identify the link between addictive behavior and suicidal behavior in patients followed at the psychiatry department at the regional hospital of Gabes.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out on a clinical population who consult in the psychiatry department in the Gabes’s regional hospital during the period from January 1st, 2020 to September 30, 2020.Sociodemographic and clinical data of the patients as well as their personal and family history were assessed. The evaluation of psychopathological disorders was carried out according to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5. Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ) was used for suicide risk assessment. Fagerstrom questionnaire in its validated French version was used to assess the of nicotine dependence. The exploration of childhood physical and emotional trauma was carried out by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) scale. Data were analysed using the software SPSS.Results100patients were included. The mean age was 45.5years. TableI: Breakdown of addictive behavior and suicide attempts by gender. TableII: Common vulnerability factors between addictive behavior and suicidalityThe analytical study showed that suicide attempts were correlated with addictive behaviors (p = 0.03) and that suicidal recurrence was correlated with addictive behaviors (p = 0.01).ConclusionsSuicidal behavior in patients followed in psychiatry is closely linked to addictive behavior, hence the importance of early management.

Suicide Behavior and Its Predictors in Patients with Schizophrenia in Ethiopia.

Background People with schizophrenia (PWS) are at greater risk of suicide. However, suicide behaviors that occur in PWS are often overlooked, inadequately characterized, and not consistently integrated into treatment. Despite this burden and consequences in Ethiopia, there is a dearth of studies concerning suicide behavior in PWS. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the magnitude of suicide behavior and its predictors among PWS in Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was employed. Data were collected using the structured interviewer-administered questionnaire from a sample of 300 PWS at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital (AMSH). The revised version of Suicide Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R) was used to assess suicide behavior in PWS. The data was collected from March 1 to 30, 2019. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of suicidal behavior at 95% confidence level. Statistical significance was declared at p value <0.05. Result A total of 300 patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. More than two-thirds of 203 (67.7%) of the participants were males, and 116 (38.7%) participants were between the ages of 28 and 37 years. We found that the prevalence of suicide behavior among PWS was 30.3%. Being unemployed (AOR = 3.65, CI = 1.32, 10.05), family history of suicide (AOR = 3.16, CI = 1.38, 7.23), substance use (AOR = 2.51, CI = 1.13, 5.59), current positive psychotic symptoms (hallucination (AOR = 6.39, CI = 2.86, 14.29), and delusion (AOR = 4.15, CI = 1.95, 14.29) and presence of comorbid depression (AOR = 4.81, CI = 1.98, 11.68) were independent significant predictors with suicidal behavior in PWS. Conclusion The prevalence of suicidal behavior among PWS was found to be high. Hence, designing strategies for early screening and intervention is the most critical prevention strategy of suicide in PWS.

THE SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS OF YOUTH’S SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR

The article highlights the current view on social and psychological determinants of youth’s suicidal behaviour. The modern science still does not have a unified point of view on suicidal behaviour. The corresponding terminology is amorphousness and its concept is uncertain. It is generally accepted that suicidal behaviour depends on many factors, has different motives and goals and exists in certain and extreme conditions. The authors present their own model of suicidal behaviour that includes the following main factors leading to suicidal behaviour: social and psychological maladaptation, deviant behaviour and unresolved intrapersonal conflicts. We have identified four groups of factors affecting young people’s social and psychological maladaptation: General psychological features of a suicider having non-pathological situational intentions, as well as people having borderline states; Personal factors; Family factors; Other life factors: a changed place of residence, study or work; negative influence of mass-media, modern literature, Internet sites with certain content, etc. A set of standardized and tested methods was selected to examine social-psychological factors of young people’s pre-suicidal and suicidal behaviour: 3 methods studying susceptibility to suicidal reactions, suicidal behaviour and the diagnosis of suicidal behaviour before its manifestation. The sample consisted of 120 young people (89 girls and 31 boys). Their families were also taken into account: 89 respondents had both parents, 31 had only one of parents. The sample was divided into three groups for comparative analysis of suicidal behaviour. The division criterion of was the suicide indicator from the Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire that was compared with the results of the Suicide Risk Test (SR-45, P.I. Yunatskevich) and the method determining propensity to suicidal behaviour (M.V. Gorskaya). The statistical methods were used to process the obtained data: Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze relations between individual psychological characteristics with suicidal behaviour; a multiple regression analysis was performed for data grouping; statistical significance was checked by the F-Fisher test. The performed empirical study has revealed that suicidal behaviour can appear because of deteriorated personal psychological health - anxiety, frustration, aggression and changes in attitudes toward life and death under environmental influences or because of overestimated self-concept. The respondents having suicidal intentions were characterized by severe anxiety and high frustration as the consequences of personal disappointment, inability to overcome real or imagined obstacles preventing goal achievement. Aggression was almost the same for all three examined groups, thus this indicator showed rather increased psychological activity. The highest rigidity was observed at the respondents having suicidal intentions; such rigidity was associated with complications existing during implementation of significant activities.

Profile of egyptian patients with borderline personality disorder with and without comorbidity

Background Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex psychiatric disorder associated with a wide range of psychopathology, including unstable mood, impulsive behavior, and suicidality, which is a defining feature of borderline, as well as high rates of axis I comorbidity.Aim To identify the profile of psychiatric comorbidity among patients with BPD and to compare them with a group of patients with BPD without comorbidity regarding some demographic variables, suicidal behavior, impulsivity, and functioning.Methods Structural Clinical Interviewing was done for DSM-IV axis I and axis II diagnoses. We recruited 30 patients with BPD, without axis I comorbidity (group I) and other 31 patients with BPD with comorbidity (group II). We compared both groups regarding different demographic variables, family circumstances impulsivity, suicidality, and functioning using suicide behavior questionnaire − revised, Barratt impulsiveness scale II, and global assessment of function.Results Patients with BPD in group II had one additional diagnosis, mainly major depression (35.5%), substance-related disorder (35.5%), anxiety disorder (16.1%), whereas bipolar disorder and eating disorders were equally rated (6.5% each). Group II patients scored significantly higher in the total suicidality scores using suicide behavior questionnaire − revised than group I, yet the two groups did not differ significantly in impulsivity scores. Meanwhile, the former group was significantly younger (P=0.05), and they started their illness and seeked treatment at a younger age with more history of previous hospitalization than did group I. In addition, their global assessment of function is significantly impaired (P=0.002).Conclusion Comorbidities in patients with BPD are high, mainly major depression and substance-related disorders, which are associated with increased suicidality behavior, hospital admission, and impaired functioning. Data obtained conveys the need to give high priority to recognize the comorbidities that pose risk on the lives of patients with BPD.

The Developmental Context of Social Hopefulness and Suicide Risk

Social disconnectedness, or thwarted belongingness (TB) has been documented as an important risk factor for suicide across the lifespan. Perceived time left (PTL) may impact perceptions of hopelessness for social connectedness and therefore inform developmentally sensitive trajectories of suicide risk. This study examined interpersonal conditions associated with social hopelessness in younger and older adults in order to identify variables important for conceptualizing suicidality across the lifespan. We compared younger and older adults’ perceptions of social hopelessness for characters in vignettes that were depicted as having high or low TB (i.e., described as lonely or not lonely) and high or low PTL (i.e., described as being 35-years-old or 85-years-old). Additionally, we examined the relation between social hopelessness and suicide risk (using the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire—Revised). Participants included 135 younger (M = 19.32) and 69 older (M = 74.91) adults. Older adults endorsed less social hopelessness than did younger adults on the High TB/Low PTL vignette, t(102.15) = -4.88, p < 0.001, as well as the Low TB/Low PTL vignette, t(194) = -2.04, p = 0.04. Participants with higher suicide risk also endorsed higher social hopelessness on the High TB/Low PTL vignette than did participants with lower suicide risk, t(194) = -2.10, p = 0.04. Younger adults and participants with higher suicide risk across both age groups reported less optimism for characters’ future social connectedness, particularly for those portrayed as older. This study provides support for the importance of developmentally informed conceptualizations of risk factors for suicide, including social hopelessness.

How should we respond to non-suicidal self-injury disclosures?: An examination of perceived reactions to disclosure, depression, and suicide risk

Identifying those who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) rely heavily on self-disclosure. However, less than half of those who engage in NSSI disclose their self-injurious behavior often due to the fear of negative reaction. This study examined how perceived reactions to NSSI disclosure (i.e., ‘negative reactions’, ‘tangible aid,’ and ‘emotional support’) may be associated with suicide risk through depression. Participants were 385 undergraduate students who had a lifetime history of engaging in and disclosing at least one of their NSSI acts. Perceived reactions to NSSI disclosure were assessed through the Self-injury Social Reactions Questionnaire; suicide risk was assessed through the Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire Revised; depression was assessed through the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Path analyses were conducted to examine the indirect effects of perceived reactions to NSSI disclosure on suicide risk through depression. Exploratory analyses of independent models examining each reaction separately were conducted as well. In the full model, negative reactions and emotional support were indirectly associated with suicide risk through depression. In the independent models, all three reaction types were associated with suicide risk through depression. The current study elucidates a potential mechanism in which specific perceived reactions to NSSI disclosure may influence one's suicide risk.

Emotional exhaustion and its relationship with suicide risk in emergency responders

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between emotional exhaustion and suicide risk in emergency responders. Participants included 643 actively employed emergency responders who responded to an online research based survey. Participants were administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach & Jackson, 1981) and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ-R; Osman, Bagge, Gutierrez, Konick, Kooper, & Barrios, 2001). Using a categorical measure of emotional exhaustion, responders reported a statistically significant increased suicide risk [F(2, 640) = 45.01, p < .001] between levels of emotional exhaustion. Post hoc analysis confirmed significant differences between each level of emotional exhaustion with a significant increase of risk at each category (Low [M = 4.60, SD= 2.38], Moderate [M = 5.56, SD= 2.50], High [M = 6.95, SD= 3.26]). Emergency responders with high levels of emotional exhaustion had an average suicide risk score approaching the significant risk cut-off of 7.

Clinical and Psychosocial Characteristics of Adolescent Pediatric Patients Hospitalized after Different Types of Suicidal Behaviors-A Preliminary Study.

The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of adolescents hospitalized after a suicide attempt or instrumental suicide-related behavior. Participants included thirty-six adolescents from the pediatric unit of a Polish hospital who made a nonfatal suicide attempt (SAA) or engaged in instrumental suicide-related behavior (IBA), as well as a general population sample (GPS). Psychosocial features were measured using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS), the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire–Revised (SBQ-R), the Psychache Scale (TPS), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), and the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16). The SAA group scored significantly higher than the IBA group and the GPS in modules related to irritability and anhedonia, voice hallucinations and delusions, suicidal acts, thoughts and ideation, and medical lethality. Additionally, the SAA scored higher on the SBQ-R and PQ-16 compared to the IBA group and the GPS. Although anxiety, mental pain, and depressive symptoms could not independently distinguish between the SAA and IBA groups, psychotic symptoms were more frequently present within the SAA group. The above symptoms may be important to consider when screening for suicide risk in the general population.

Suicidal behavior among people with epilepsy in Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

IntroductionPremature mortality is common in people with epilepsy, but the causes vary where suicide is considered as one of the commonest. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare suicidal behavior between people with epilepsy and the general population and identify associated factors in Northwest Ethiopia. MethodsWe have conducted a comparative cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia. We have selected people with epilepsy from outpatient departments and the comparisons from the general population. Suicidal behavior was assessed by the revised version of Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ-R). Logistic regression was implemented to look for associations between factors and the dependent variable. ResultsThe prevalence of suicidal behavior in people with epilepsy was 18.2%, significantly higher than the community sample, which was 9.8% (p-value = .001). This difference persists in the multivariable logistic regression model by which the odds of suicidal behavior in people with epilepsy was two times more as compared to the community sample. Other variables positively associated with suicidal behavior for the overall sample were depressive symptoms, no formal education, divorced/widowed marital status, and higher perceived criticism. Better social support was protective factor for suicidal behavior. ConclusionThe proportion of suicidal behavior is twofold higher in people with epilepsy than the general population. Routine screening for suicide risk should be an integral part of epilepsy treatment.