In an effort to generate hypotheses on the increase in youth suicide in the United States, studies from other countries are reviewed, which relate suicide to factors within the general areas of the family, religion, transition and mobility, achievement motivation, and aggression. American trends in these areas are examined. (SJL)

The increase in suicides by firearms in all sex-ethnic groups accompanied marked increases in the availability of firearms, which is a preferred, socioculturally accepted method of suicide. Studies suggest that suicides may be prevented by decreasing the availability of the most common methods of suicide to suicidal individuals. (Author)

Uses case vignettes to highlight the idiosyncratic dynamics and special cultural influences that describe adolescent suicides. Extrapolates from these cases a series of aphorisms about the study of adolescent suicide and about adolescence, so as to help clinicians and researchers appreciate individuals in their cultural context. (RJM)

Investigated differences among adolescents (N=13,953) living in intact families, one-parent families, and stepparent families. Results indicate that adolescents from one parent and stepparent families reported lower self-esteem, more symptoms of anxiety and loneliness, more depressed mood, more suicidal thoughts, and more suicide attempts than…

Explored the relationship among depressive symptoms, anxiety, hopelessness, and suicidal intent in a group of 77 adolescents following a suicide attempt. Results indicate that hopelessness was the only significant predictor of suicide intent in Caucasian patients, and depressed mood was the only significant predictor in the Aboriginal group. (RJM)

Describes action research that helped a school community recover from a music teacher's suicide. Summarizes an external counselor's advice to the principal and various stages of coping with trauma, dealing with loss, and negotiating a new stable state. Finds the principal central to the politics of grief. Explores an educative grief management…

Previously used for process notations, global assessment, and treatment planning, the clinical record is increasingly used to demonstrate accountability to third-party payers and to the legal system. This article discusses the documentation of accountability in the case of potential client suicide or violence toward others. (Author/RB)

Examines comorbidity among depressive symptoms, conduct problems, and alcohol and drug abuse in a sample of 1,050 students. Those reporting high levels of depression, along with either alcohol abuse or conduct problems, were more likely to attempt suicide than students reporting only one of these disorders. Other findings are reported. (RJM)

Examining National Center for Health statistics, questions whether fictional television accounts of teenage suicide affect the teenage suicide rate. Assesses four films about teenage suicide, nationally televised in 1984 and 1985. Accounts for holiday and temporal effects, television new stories, and large city influences. Finds that the films did…

Compared cognitive style and pleasant activities of 77 suicide-attempting female minority adolescents with those of 39 psychiatrically disturbed and 23 nondisturbed female adolescents. Suicide attempters reported significantly fewer alternatives for solving interpersonal problems, were significantly more focused on problems, and were more likely…

The development of suicidal thoughts in children was studied, using life history data from 364 undergraduates. Results suggest that: many children and adolescents contemplate suicide, and those at increased risk of suicidal thought are also at increased risk of suicide. Examining suicidal ideation in non-clinical samples is discussed. (SLD)

Among junior and senior high school students (N=6,428), adolescent emotional and ideological disparity with parents and disparity between importance adolescent placed on academic achievement and satisfaction with academic achievement were linked to suicide ideation through intervening variables of self-esteem, purpose in life, and two forms of…

Surveyed 694 adolescents concerning rock music preferences and views on homicide, satanism, and suicide (HSS) themes. Nine percent of middle school students, 17 percent of rural and 24percent of urban high school students were HSS rock fans. Three-fourths of fans were male, majority were White. Many students expressed concerns about destructive…

Results are reported from a national survey of teenaged youth on their attitudes toward a variety of health related issues. Topics covered were Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; sexually transmitted diseases, violence, suicide, injury prevention, drug abuse, nutrition, and consumer education. (JD)

Examined the impact of homicidal, suicidal, and nonviolent heavy metal and rap songs on the moods of male college undergraduates. Students (n=164) completed mood inventories after listening to 1 of 6 songs. Results show no effects of these songs on suicidal ideation, anxiety, or self-esteem. Rap songs elicited greater angry responses than heavy…