Notes that researchers have consistently found several correlates with adolescent suicide. Highlights the interactive nature of these correlates, describes how they can be placed within a developmental framework, and discusses how this framework can be used to assist the school counselor in understanding adolescent suicide and in generating ideas…

Examined the relative power of measures of perceived family support, hopelessness, and depression for the classification of suicide attempters and nonattempters in a series of 8- to 13-year-old psychiatric inpatients (N=25). Results indicated that a measure of a child's perceived family support discriminated between suicide attempters and…

Mentally retarded suicide attempters/ideators (n=22) were compared to 22 nonsuicidal mentally retarded adults referred for outpatient mental health services. Few differences were found between the two groups. The typical suicide attempter was a young adult with mild to borderline mental retardation and a physical disability or chronic medical…

Examines feasibility of palliative approach for all patients, showing reasonable people may refuse even the most exemplary care for themselves or an incompetent relative. Medical realities and alleviation of pointless suffering necessitate that policymakers consider other options, including "active" euthanasia, consistent with patient…

Findings from national survey of approximately 1,925 U lesbians revealed that over 50% had considered suicide and 18% had attempted suicide; 37% had been physically abused; 32% had been raped/sexually attacked; and 19% had been in incestuous relationships. Almost one-third used tobacco daily, and about 30% drank alcohol more than once a week.…

Euthanasia is considered an important social issue of the 1990s. Mental health professionals should understand the differences between voluntary, involuntary, passive, and active euthanasia; mercy killing, and assisted suicide. Encourages counselors to ethically formulate client-supportive positions to help clients face life-and-death decisions.…

This study documented suicidal behavior among 90 children and adolescents with mental retardation and psychiatric disorders in a psychiatric hospital. Suicidality was found in 21% of admissions and was distributed across gender, level of mental retardation, and psychiatric diagnosis. Results indicate that suicidality is an underrecognized but…

Investigated the relationship between adolescents' suicidal behavior and family dysfunction by focusing on the concepts of boundary transgression, double-bind interactions, and the demarcation of family kinship roles. Explores the possibility that suicidal behavior is a double-bind response to contradictions in the way families distribute roles…

Notes characteristics of older adults at high risk for suicide (male, living alone, living in low-income transient urban area, depression). Provides converging perspectives on death and suicide from standpoints of external observer and older adult. Interprets statistical pattern and critiques current policy proposals for limiting society's…

Assessed 238 university students and 159 high school students on temporal and personality measures. Found that temporal extension, temporal attitude, and impulsivity had comparatively little effect on suicide ideation after controlling effects of mood disturbance. However, negative temporal attitudes appeared to have significant impact on suicide…

Examination of suicide data in the United States shows that peaks occur only in a few subpopulations. Day-of-the-week effects are found almost exclusively in middle-aged suicides. Day-of-the-month effects are found for elderly males, and month-of-the-year effects occur for teenagers and the elderly. (SLD)

Examined life stress and problem-solving interactional model of suicide by comparing 33 hospitalized suicidal adolescents, 21 hospitalized adolescents with other psychiatric problems, and 89 controls. Suicide group could be discriminated from psychiatric control group but not from high school control group. Found that life stress did not…

Delineates the integration of the topic of suicide prevention into the introductory sociology course, and outlines the teaching methods. Argues that this approach makes social science research relevant and interesting to students by giving them usable information and potentially life-saving skills. (Author/DB)

Identifies diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and describes PTSD symptoms as possible student reactions to sudden, unexpected death by suicide or sudden loss from accidental or deliberate death. Reviews literature on PTSD. identifies phases of recovery, and describes brief strategic intervention for school counselors to…

Describes an instrument that uses questionnaires and interviews to measure adolescents' potential for suicide. Describes the measure's use with a group of students involved in a school-based drop-out- and drug-abuse prevention program. Youth showed significant decreases in suicide risk behaviors, depression, hopelessness, stress, and anger in…