Thirty-five serious suicide attempters, paired to neuropsychiatric controls on relevant variables, were tested within two weeks of their attempt with the Defense Mechanisms Inventory. Attempters revealed more turning-against-self defenses as hypothesized but showed no differences from controls in use of fantasized hostility. Implications for…

In a discussion of youthful suicide, the physical and emotional changes experienced by adolescents are evidenced as among the causes producing pain which may lead to suicide in some cases. Societal factors which may contribute to adolescent suicide are described. Suggestions for prevention are put forward. (Author/CL)

From findings, it is concluded that: the proportion of gifted dropouts may be average, existing literature on delinquency suggests underrepresentation of the gifted, and suicide statistics and theories about the causes of suicide are the most accommodating to the idea of overrepresentation of the gifted. (SB)

In a sample of 494 female undergraduates, current suicidal ideation was assessed and victimization was assessed retrospectively. Analyses revealed an association between suicidal ideation and emotional and physical abuse in childhood and a history of partner violence. No relationship was found between childhood sexual abuse or forced sex in…

Coping responses of suicide attempters were compared to those of non-attempters. Suicide attempters made fewer effortful-approach and more automatic-approach coping responses, and were judged by trained raters to have coped less effectively. Discusses findings in light of model of coping that incorporates both individual differences and…

Explores the relationship between alcohol use prior to suicide among American Indian decedents in New Mexico for the years 1980 through 1998. Alcohol was detected in 69% of all suicides of American Indians with some variance by major tribal cultural groups. This is higher than in suicides among the overall New Mexico population (44.3%). (Contains…

This paper focuses on suicide reduction and prevention. It considers what the United Kingdom government associated bodies could do and are considering doing to prevent suicide in Britain. UK suicide statistics for the period of 1971 and 1997 are compared and the Highland Health Board suicide prevention strategy for the 1990s is considered.…

This paper focuses vividly on personal, subjective aspects of suicide. The complex role of suicidal rumination in the course of an intermittent but chronic depression is discussed, as are the importance of cognitive schema, interpersonal exacerbation, and failed diagnosis. A key feature of the paper is the central heuristic of a therapist…

This study examines the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among the homeless and what aspects of homelessness predict suicidality. A sample of 330 homeless adults was interviewed, with 61% reporting suicidal ideation and 34% attempted suicide. Childhood homelessness and periods of homelessness longer than 6 months were found to…

To assess whether writing with cognitive change or exposure instructions reduces depression or suicidality, 121 undergraduates wrote for 20 minutes on 4 days over two weeks. They were randomly assigned to reinterpret or to write and rewrite traumatic events/emotions, or to write about innocuous topics. All subjects reported fewer automatic…

An instrument measuring attitudes toward suicide was developed through two questionnaire surveys. The results implied complex relationships at the aggregated level between attitudes and suicidal behavior, depending on type of suicidal behavior, attitude factor, and subgroup. At the individual level, persons answering affirmative on own suicidal…

Used 9-point clinical rating scale to assess severity of hopelessness in 141 patients hospitalized with suicide ideation. Followed patients from 5 to 10 years; 10 eventually committed suicide. Mean hopelessness rating for patients committing suicide was significantly higher than that for patients not committing suicide. Cutoff score of 6 or above…

Investigated suicides among female chemists (n=28) and male chemists (n=63) for age, marital status, educational qualifications, type of employment, minority status, chemical specialties, and method of suicide. Although work played a significant part in suicides by both males and females, there were marked sex differences. (Author/ABL)

Presents bibliography on suicide and self-destruction among American Indians and the native peoples of Alaska. Claims this area of knowledge has been characterized by rapid growth in last 20 years. Lists existing sources of 160 items with brief documentation of trends in literature. (Author/ABL)