An on-going research project at the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center is attempting to describe the potential suicide. Comparisons on a rating scale were made among patients who commit suicide and a random sample of case histories from the coroner's office. Approximately 10 syndromes or subgroupings of people who commit suicide have been…

This paper has two purposes: (1) to develop a theoretical model of suicide, based on the previous work of Henry and Short, and (2) to apply that model in the study of Black suicides in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. (Author)

Examines several common human-serving fallacies about suicide as to their validity and discusses these myths in terms of how they operate to reduce anxiety about quality of life and death. Asserts need to dispel myths and seek truths in order to understand and prevent suicide. (Author/NB)

A review of research on adolescent suicide found that many of the studies are of children who have attempted suicide (such children differ considerably from children who kill themselves). Also reviews prevention programs and suicide warning signs in children. Includes a resource panel listing. (MD)

Extends the examination of the relationship between divorce and suicide to Canada by evaluating the hypothesis that provinces with high levels of divorce experience increased rates of suicide. Aggregate data for Canada's provinces and territories for 1971 and 1978 provide strong support for this prediction, thus indicating similarity in patterns…

Analyzed the clinical utility of including social desirability (SD) assessment in the risk assessment and prediction of suicidal behavior in both a general population (N=197) and psychiatric sample (N=96). Results indicated that SD assessment is useful, particularly among psychiatric patients and when historical reports of suicidal behavior are…

Investigates suicide from the vantage point of the suicidal person by analyzing the personal meaning(s) of the act for the individual. Individual recollections were studied and ordered within the framework of Jean Baechler's typology. Results indicated that an identifiable purpose or a pattern of purposes can be categorized within a restricted and…

Describes the specific conflicts which suicidal women experience in their intimate relationships with men. Four major themes were found in the relationships: "smothering love", infidelity, battering, and denial of affection. Examples of the four themes are described and analyzed. (Author/BL)

Reviews research concerning the nature of the relationship between cancer and suicide and considers its implications on the rational suicide movement. Findings do not indicate a higher incidence of suicide among cancer patients, questioning the rational suicide position. (JAC)

Compared a suicide-completion group to a psychiatric control sample on the 13 traditional MMPI scales, three experimental item pools, and eight profile patterns earlier described as indicative of suicidal tendencies (N=84). The results argue against the use of the MMPI at this time to predict suicide. (JAC)

Analysis of effect of divorce on suicide using micro- and individual-level data provided some support for both status integration theory (predicting decline in effect of divorce on suicide) and Durkheimian perspective (predicting no change or increase in suicide). Gap between suicide rates of divorced and married, which has narrowed as divorce has…

Discusses usefulness of epidemiologic surveys in studying suicidal behavior. Presents overview of purpose and characteristics of epidemiologic survey. Summarizes five community surveys that evaluated prevalence and correlates of suicidal behavior in various communities, discussing similarities and differences among studies and proposing…

Used descriptive model of grief to systematically evaluate empirical studies on mourning after suicide. Grief after suicide appeared to differ on several qualitative aspects from grief from other causes of death. Grief process, however, seemed to show same course and main features as those occurring after other types of death, especially after…

Considers relationship between suicide and creativity. Presents evidence indicating that depression, suicide, and creativity are related. Posits several hypotheses for relationship. Suggests that some changes in serotonergic system associated with depression and with impulsive suicides and homicides may be responsible for element of risk taking…