Explored relationship between the extent of gun ownership and the strictness of gun control laws to suicide and homicide rates in the nine major geographic regions of the United States. Found gun ownership, rather than the strictness of gun control laws, was the strongest correlate of the rates of suicide and homicide by guns. (Author)

Searched state and national vital statistics records for suicides in Alaska (1983-1984). Of 195 deaths meeting case definition of suicide, 141 appeared in state records; 112 in national records. Native suicides were more likely to be underrecorded that non-Native suicides. Errors resulted primarily from delayed determinations of cause of death and…

Assessed 136 adults diagnosed with major (unipolar) depression for intensity of depressive symptomatology, lethality of suicide ideation, and cognitive variables presumed to mediate depression and suicidality. Results indicated that Beck's Hopelessness Scale combined with Detachment factor of Crandell Cognitions Inventory best predicted depressive…

Differentiates between suicidal patients who complete treatment and those who voluntarily withdraw after resolution of the immediate crisis. Results indicate the high-risk nature of those withdrawing prematurely and suggests that this behavior potentially represents another manifestation of overall maladaptive coping, consistent with prominent…

Brief case studies of single-vehicle car crashes are used to explore the relationship between this method of death and the intent to commit suicide. The author attempts to determine what criteria can be used to determine whether suicide was the intent, and how death by automobile crash can be determined a suicide. (JPS)

Presents case of attempted suicide of 66-year-old female, along with comments based on the chapters of this special volume on suicide among the elderly. Specific topics of demographics, psychiatric-psychological, object relations, the attempts, and concluding comments provide an idiographic illustration of suicidal behavior in an older adult.…

Reports on epidemic of six inpatient suicides in Finnish psychiatric hospital. Notes that suggestion and identification had effect on timing and method of four of six suicides. Views epidemic from individual, network, and organizational perspectives. Speculates on how such epidemics could be avoided. (Author/NB)

Examined whether nurses' attitudes toward suicide are based on clinical specialty, age, and degree completed. Findings from 184 nurses revealed no significant differences between clinical specialty groups. Age and degree were significant only on Right to Die scale. Older nurses and those with advanced degrees were more likely to agree with…

Reviews literature on suicide and terminal illnesses. Examines suicide rate for persons with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Explores physical and psychosocial factors that may contribute to decision by person with AIDS to commit suicide. Applies Siegel's criteria for rational suicide to case of person with AIDS. Examines role of…

Results of random sampling of suicide prevention center directors suggests that etiological models of suicidal behavior emphasizing environmental stress and/or prepotent vulnerability are most commonly held perceptions of causes of suicide. Category that included both stress and predisposition models was advocated by 37.5 percent of respondents…

Conducted three studies to examine independent feasibility of two explanations for why individuals consider suicide (presence of negative expectancies and absence of positive reasons for living). Results from both clinical and nonclinical samples consistently indicated distinct nomological nets for measures of "hopelessness" and…

Discusses discharge of suicidal patients from inpatient care from both economic and ethical perspectives. Suggests that clinicians must exercise prudence in discharging patients unlikely to recover, considering duty to preserve life. Encourages discharge when benefits outweigh risks, with careful preparation of patient and family and meticulous…

Addresses three topics involved in treatment of suicidal inpatient: (1) assessment of risk; (2) need to differentiate among various characteristics of suicidal crisis; and (3) institutional suicide policies and procedures. Suggests that conscientious assessment of risk and thoughtful policies and procedures are foundations of care for suicidal…

Suggests that gender issues necessitate considering gender in treatment planning for suicidal individuals. Focuses on gender dynamics relevant to psychotherapy with suicidal adults. Reviews literature on relationships between gender and epidemiology of suicidal ideation and behaviors, reasons for suicidal behavior, and initiation and goals of…

Presents epidemiologic and forensic description of 50 witnessed suicides drawn from 15-year series of over 1,000 cases. Develops taxonomy based on role played by witnesses and relates to previous work on self-destructive behavior and its motivation. Uses vignettes to illustrate interpersonal dynamics associated with witnessed suicides. (Author/NB)