Suchergebnisse

Abstract. Background: Previous work suggests that reasons for living (RFL) are associated with suicide ideation; however, the relationship between RFL and suicide attempts among individuals with suicide ideation remains unclear. Such an examination is necessary to delineate whether RFL are associated with suicide attempts above and beyond their association with suicide ideation. Aims: This study examined the relationship between RFL and suicide attempts among young adults with a lifetime history of suicide ideation. Method: Undergraduate students ( N = 163) completed surveys assessing demographics, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and RFL. Results: Individuals with a history of both suicide ideation and attempt reported significantly lower RFL than individuals with a history of suicide ideation but no suicide attempt. Among individual RFL-YA subscales, only Coping Beliefs was significantly associated with a suicide attempt history. Limitations: The cross-sectional nature of this study precludes any conclusions about the potential protective effects of RFL against suicide attempts, and the college student sample limits generalizability of the findings. Conclusion: Further research is needed to understand whether RFL prospectively predict suicide attempts among individuals with suicide ideation and whether interventions that bolster RFL might reduce suicide risk.

Purpose
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted concerns about an increased risk for psychological distress, broadly and suicide mortality, specifically; it is, as yet, unclear if these concerns will be realized, but they are plausible.


Design/methodology/approach
The authors demonstrate why researchers, clinicians, policymakers and other public health stakeholders should be vigilant to the potential increases in murder-suicide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Findings
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of increased gun sales, alcohol sales, intimate partner violence and child neglect/abuse. These factors give one serious pause regarding the potential for murder-suicide, especially in the context of other pandemic-related stressors (e.g. loneliness, economic stress, health anxiety).


Originality/value
This paper highlights pandemic-related factors that might spur increased murder-suicide and encourages murder-suicide prevention efforts to take place alongside other pandemic-related public health interventions.

Abstract. Background: Research with human subjects represents a critical avenue for suicide prevention efforts; however, such research is not without its ethical and practical challenges. Specifically, given the nature of research with individuals at elevated risk for suicide (e.g., increased concerns regarding participant safety, adverse events, liability, difficulties often arise during the institutional review board (IRB) evaluation and approval process. Aims: This paper aims to discuss IRB-related issues associated with suicide prevention research, including researcher and IRB panel member responsibilities, suicide risk assessment and management ethics and procedures, informed consent considerations, preparation of study protocols, and education and training. Points to consider and components to potentially include in an IRB application for suicide-related research are additionally provided. Method: Literature relevant to ethics in suicide research and suicide risk assessment and management was reviewed and synthesized. Results: Suicide research can be conducted in accordance with ethical principles while also furthering the science of suicide prevention. Conclusion: Despite the challenging nature of suicide prevention research, empirically informed solutions exist to address difficulties that may emerge in interfacing with IRBs. There remain areas for improvement in the IRB approval process that warrant further investigation and work.

BACKGROUND: Suicide rates are elevated among United States (U.S.) military service members. Research has found that service members with autism spectrum disorder-related (ASD-related) traits are at increased risk for suicide. Complementary lines of inquiry have suggested that unit cohesion is a protective factor against developing suicidal ideation in military service members. However, given the social difficulties inherent in ASD, it is unclear whether unit cohesion might protect against suicide risk in this population. METHOD: Our sample consisted of 285 active duty U.S. military service members recruited online. We examined the interaction between ASD-related traits (as measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), unit cohesion, and suicide risk (as measured by the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised [SBQ-R]). We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether unit cohesion attenuates the association between ASD-related traits and suicidal intent. RESULTS: Elevated ASD-related traits were independently associated with higher levels of global suicide risk; however, unit cohesion was not independently associated with suicide risk. Unit cohesion did not significantly interact with ASD-related traits to predict suicide risk. Finally, we found that elevated ASD-related traits and unit cohesion have an independent effect on current suicidal intent. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that unit cohesion might not buffer the effect of ASD-related traits on suicide risk. However, our results do show that greater unit cohesion may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent. This study is limited by a cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures.

This cohort study compares firearm, suffocation, and poisoning suicide rates among recently separated veterans with those among the general veteran population and examines demographic and military characteristics associated with risk of method-specific suicide mortality among recently separated veterans.

Abstract. Background: Relatively little is known regarding the relationship between attitudes toward suicide, suicide attempt (SA) history, and future suicidal behaviors. Aims: Utilizing a sample of firefighters, this study compared attitudes toward suicide between individuals with/without a career SA history and evaluated whether certain attitudes toward suicide are associated with a greater self-reported likelihood of making a future SA. Method: US firefighters ( N = 818) completed self-report measures. One-way ANOVAs and linear regression analyses were utilized to address study aims. Results: Firefighters with a career SA reported significantly greater normalization/glorification of suicide – yet lower attributions of suicide to isolation/depression – than those without this history. More stigmatizing attitudes toward suicide and greater normalization/glorification of suicide were each significantly associated with greater self-reported future SA likelihood. Limitations: Data were cross-sectional and findings may not be generalizable. Conclusion: Firefighters who have made an SA during their firefighting careers may normalize and glorify suicide more than those who have not. These attitudes may be associated with greater self-perceived risk for future SAs. Research is needed to replicate findings and evaluate strategies for targeting potentially harmful beliefs about suicide among SA survivors.

Following deployment, soldiers may struggle to cope with the after-effects of combat service and experience increased suicidality. Therefore, connection to mental health services is vital. Research regarding the relationship between deployment, suicidality, and mental health connections has been equivocal, with some studies finding a link between deployment history and mental health outcomes, and others not. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of military deployment on mental health and service utilization outcomes using a longitudinal design. Deployment history, mental health visits, symptoms of suicidality, and various mental health outcomes were assessed in a sample of 1,566 Army recruiters at study entry and 18-months follow-up. Deployment history was positively associated with mental health visits, number of major depressive episodes, and acquired capability for suicide at baseline; however, no significant relationship between deployment, mental health visits, and any other suicide or mental health-related outcomes emerged at baseline or follow-up. Findings suggest a disconnection from mental health services among military personnel. Implications for treatment and suicide prevention efforts among military personnel are discussed.

Firefighters represent a group at elevated suicide risk. Identifying segments of the fire service at increased risk may facilitate the targeted provision of suicide prevention initiatives. Among the general population, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals report higher rates of suicide attempts. This study sought to examine suicide attempt rates among AI/AN firefighters and to determine if greater exposure to painful and provocative events and/or fearlessness about death explains the relationship between AI/AN identity and suicidal behaviors. A total of 917 US firefighters completed a web-based mental health survey (6.2% AI/AN). Participants completed a modified version of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Short Form, the Painful and Provocative Events Scale, and the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale–Fearlessness About Death scale. Bootstrap mediation analyses were conducted, controlling for years of service as a firefighter. Although AI/AN firefighters accounted for only 6.2% of the sample, they accounted for 34.4% of the career suicide attempts. AI/AN firefighters were 16.31 (95% CI = 7.96, 33.42) times more likely to report a career suicide attempt history than non-AI/AN firefighters, adjusting for years of service as a firefighter. Painful and provocative events, but not fearlessness about death, was a statistically significant mediator of the relationship between AI/AN identity and suicide attempts. Firefighters identifying as AI/AN represent a subgroup within the fire service at increased risk for suicide. Findings suggest that greater exposure to painful and provocative events among AI/AN firefighters may explain the elevated suicide risk among this population.