Individuals experiencing chronic pain are at greater risk for suicidal behavior. The mechanism of action for this association is unexplored, but may involve the influence of pain on interpersonal functioning. We examined the mediating role of unsatisfied interpersonal needs on the relation between pain severity and interference, and suicidal behavior. Low income, uninsured participants completed self-report measures of pain severity and interference, thwarted interpersonal needs and suicidal behavior. Our hypotheses were partially supported; in simple mediation models, an indirect only effect existed for both thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in the relation between pain severity and pain interference and suicidal behavior. These effects did not persist in multiple mediation analyses. Our findings suggest that, for patients experiencing pain, assessment and improvement of the quantity and quality of interpersonal relationships may reduce risk for suicide ideation and attempts.

Defines Beck Hopelessness Inventory.

The suicide rate in Hong Kong has been increasing since 1997, and the suicide rate among the 30-49-year-olds has increased from 294 in 1996, to 484 in 2003, surging about 65% since 1996. Despite the fact that an increasing trend had been observed, the characteristics of suicides among this age group were not known because no empirical research had been conducted among this age group in Hong Kong. The present study is the first psychological autopsy study conducted on the 30-49 age group in a Chinese society. The aims of this study were to identify and examine the magnitude of the risk factors of middle-aged suicide among the Hong Kong citizens, to determine the similarities and applicability of Western findings into local situation, and to recommend culturally specific evidence-based preventive and intervention strategies. These findings suggest that there are more commonalities than differences in risk factors for suicide found in other psychological autopsy studies; however, the magnitude of some of these identified risk factors were inconsistent with suicide research conducted in other countries. Given the multi-faceted and distinctive nature of middle-age suicide in Hong Kong, a public health approach of suicide prevention strategy, which targets both individuals and the population, is considered to be appropriate than the clinical approach in order to reduce larger population developing greater suicidal risk.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (D.Psyc.(Clin.))--University of Wollongong, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 70-81.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 2, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-76).

The purpose of the study was to highlight the extent of teenage suicide/parasuicide in selected areas in the West Rand. An exploratory descriptive survey was used to determine the extent of teenage suicide/parasuicide, identify existing programmes for the prevention of suicide, determine the involvement of the community health nurses in such programmes and make recommendations for the development of suicide prevention programmes in areas where they do not exist. Structured interview schedules were used to collect data. The study was undertaken in various clinics in Gauteng Province. The study results suggest that suicide/parasuicide is a common occurrence amongst teenagers and young adults aged between 15 and 24 years, suicide/parasuicide do not seem to be accurately recorded in most clinics, that community health nurses are not adequately involved in suicide prevention programmes and finally that available suicide prevention programmes are not fully utilised. Recommendations based on the findings are given. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

O papel da religiosidade na determinação do comportamento suicida é controverso, havendo estudos que a consideram um fator protetor e outros um fator de risco. Neste estudo os autores conduziram uma revisão sistemática da literatura para avaliar a relação entre a religiosidade e o comportamento suicida. Dentre os 154 artigos publicados em periódicos científicos inicialmente identificados nas bases Medline, Lilacs, Scielo e PsycInfo, foram selecionados 59 artigos que enfocavam a associação entre religiosidade e comportamento suicida. Para a avaliação dos atributos qualitativos dos artigos foi desenvolvido um Roteiro de Avaliação Qualitativa. Os resultados mostram que grande parte dos artigos encontrados apresentava falta de rigor metodológico na mensuração do conceito de religiosidade, possivelmente devido à característica subjetiva desse constructo. Contudo, verificou-se que o papel protetor contra o comportamento suicida exercido pela religiosidade, sofre variações de acordo com a cultura na qual está inserida, considerando que para algumas culturas o comportamento suicida não é visto com total desaprovação. Porém, a maioria dos estudos reforça a hipótese de que a religiosidade diminui o risco de comportamento suicida nos indivíduos que professam algum tipo de credo e, que participam de algum espaço religioso. Não foram encontrados, nesta pesquisa, estudos que medissem a associação, entre religiosidade e comportamento suicida, em religiões de matriz africana. / The role of religiosity in determining suicidal behavior is controversial, since there are tudies where its considered a protective factor and others, a risk factor. In this study, the authors conducted a systematic literature review to assess the relationship between religiosity and suicidal behavior. Among the 154 articles published in scientific journals initially identified in Medline, Lilacs, SciELO and PsycInfo, we selected 59 articles that focused on the association between religiosity and suicidal behavior. To evaluate the qualitative attributes of the articles, a Qualitative Evaluation Script was developed. The results show that most articles found presented a lack of methodological rigor in measuring the concept of religiosity, possibly due to the subjective characteristic of this construct. However, it was found that the protective role against suicidal behavior exercised by religion, varies according to the culture in which it operates, whereas in some cultures suicidal behavior is not seen with total disapproval. However, most studies support the hypothesis that religiosity reduces the risk of suicidal behavior in individuals who profess some kind of belief, and participates in some religious space. Were not found, in this research, studies which measure the association between religiosity and suicidal behavior in religions of African origin.

O papel da religiosidade na determinação do comportamento suicida é controverso, havendo estudos que a consideram um fator protetor e outros um fator de risco. Neste estudo os autores conduziram uma revisão sistemática da literatura para avaliar a relação entre a religiosidade e o comportamento suicida. Dentre os 154 artigos publicados em periódicos científicos inicialmente identificados nas bases Medline, Lilacs, Scielo e PsycInfo, foram selecionados 59 artigos que enfocavam a associação entre religiosidade e comportamento suicida. Para a avaliação dos atributos qualitativos dos artigos foi desenvolvido um Roteiro de Avaliação Qualitativa. Os resultados mostram que grande parte dos artigos encontrados apresentava falta de rigor metodológico na mensuração do conceito de religiosidade, possivelmente devido à característica subjetiva desse constructo. Contudo, verificou-se que o papel protetor contra o comportamento suicida exercido pela religiosidade, sofre variações de acordo com a cultura na qual está inserida, considerando que para algumas culturas o comportamento suicida não é visto com total desaprovação. Porém, a maioria dos estudos reforça a hipótese de que a religiosidade diminui o risco de comportamento suicida nos indivíduos que professam algum tipo de credo e, que participam de algum espaço religioso. Não foram encontrados, nesta pesquisa, estudos que medissem a associação, entre religiosidade e comportamento suicida, em religiões de matriz africana. / The role of religiosity in determining suicidal behavior is controversial, since there are tudies where its considered a protective factor and others, a risk factor. In this study, the authors conducted a systematic literature review to assess the relationship between religiosity and suicidal behavior. Among the 154 articles published in scientific journals initially identified in Medline, Lilacs, SciELO and PsycInfo, we selected 59 articles that focused on the association between religiosity and suicidal behavior. To evaluate the qualitative attributes of the articles, a Qualitative Evaluation Script was developed. The results show that most articles found presented a lack of methodological rigor in measuring the concept of religiosity, possibly due to the subjective characteristic of this construct. However, it was found that the protective role against suicidal behavior exercised by religion, varies according to the culture in which it operates, whereas in some cultures suicidal behavior is not seen with total disapproval. However, most studies support the hypothesis that religiosity reduces the risk of suicidal behavior in individuals who profess some kind of belief, and participates in some religious space. Were not found, in this research, studies which measure the association between religiosity and suicidal behavior in religions of African origin.