Describes study identifying themes that characterize experiences of young adults who made one suicide attempt between the ages of 20 and 24. Six major themes identified include: family experiences, adolescent interactions, emotional experiences, self-destructive behaviors, depression, and perception of control. Views suicide attempts as a…

Describes interviews with 65 children in Grades 1-5 concerning their understanding/experiences with death and suicide. By third grade, students have an elaborate understanding of suicide; they learn about suicide from television and discussions with other children, but rarely from adults. Level of development of the concept of suicide is related…

Presents dynamics and measurements of subjective experience of problem irresolvability (SEPI). First study describes construction and factor analysis of scale and its relationship to suicidal tendencies, hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and commitment to parents. Second study presents factor analysis and association between SEPI scale and…

Examines trends in the well being of Swedish youth to determine whether they show improvement or deterioration since the passage of the 1979 corporal punishment ban. Data collected from various national sources indicate that rates of involvement in crime, substance use, rape, and suicide have decreased. Trends in rates of nonsexual assaults are…

Refutes Alfie Kohn's criticisms of modern character education programs in the February 1997 "Kappan." The basic structure of true "for character" education relies on an approach relevant for students of all ages, has been time-tested over 2,500 years, has broad public support, and has a valid research base. Kohn advocates…

The "clearness committee," a Quaker practice, might provide an avenue for educators grappling with crises and seeking clarity about their worries and concerns over time. A Lewis and Clark College seminar held in April 1998 dealt with an administrator's fears about carrying on following a former student's suicide. Steps for freeing one's…

A study of 100 admissions to an New Zealand adult psychiatric inpatient unit investigated whether childhood abuse is related to severity of psychological disturbance in adulthood. Results indicate relationships between childhood abuse and suicidality, duration of hospitalization, and age at first admission. Sexually abused males were significantly…

Addresses many of the statistical and epidemiological flaws identified in previous studies of campus student suicides. Analyses, based on longitudinal data covering 261 student suicides, reveal a significantly higher suicide risk for students 25 and over, although the overall student suicide rate is one half of the national rate. (RJM)

Discusses the importance of accurate information about childhood suicide to prevent clinical judgment errors. Describes available methods for evaluating suicide risk in children. Looks at myths and misconceptions surrounding childhood suicide; risk factors, such as family dysfunction and distress; and evaluation techniques, such as interviews and…

Disusses how lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth can often suffer disqualification ranging from internalized poor esteem and suicidality to physical danger. Examines how homophobia and heterosexism are both manifest and recovered from using case examples and offering therapeutic suggestions to clinicians. (Author/GCP)

Extends previous research by examining the role of communalism, family cohesion, and family support in suicide ideation and depression in African American college students. Results show that communalism, family cohesion, and family support were positively associated with each other. Higher levels of family cohesion and family support were…

An Idaho Supreme Court decision involving a "wrongful death" by suicide signals a warning to educators who overlook their students' personal problems. The court decided that the teacher had no "assumed duty" to warn parents, but emphasized all school employees' duty to "exercise reasonable care and act reasonably in the…

A workable referral system, using resources within a school and within the community, becomes important when a sudden death or suicide occurs. When managing a crisis, helping professionals need to have the means for restoring a school and community to its precrisis equilibrium. Provides specific information pertinent to developing an effective…

Describes each of 20 cases briefly to show the pattern of killers who committed their crime in order to be executed. Concludes that the death penalty itself can serve as an invitation to murder, and asserts that legislators should vote against the implementation of the death penalty in order to save lives. (JPS)

A LISREL model incorporating both social and psychological factors was used to explain Chinese and American college students' suicide ideation. In both Chinese and American samples, females scored higher on the ideation scale than males. The overall rate is lower for the Chinese, however. Supports previous research. Offers a comparison of…