The present study compared the suicidal behaviour and related measures of adolescents in high school in Germany (N=318) and South Africa (N=299). Participants completed a series of self-report measures of the SPS (Suicide Probability Scale), PSS-Fa (Perceived Social Support From Family Scale), PSS-Fr (Perceived Social Support From Friends Scale), SIB (Scale Of Interpersonal Behaviour) and a number of demographic questions. Analyses were conducted using content analysis, correlation coefficients and logistic regression to determine variables related to previous suicide attempts, stepwise multiple regression to account for variables predicting currents suicidal risk; and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to examine differences among the groups and among suicide attempters and non-attempters. 36 German (11.3%) and 48 South African (16.1%) adolescents reported that they had made previous suicide attempts. German adolescents reported 45 (14.2%) suicide attempts in the family and 82 (25.8%) suicide attempts by friends. South African adolescents reported 43 (14.4%) suicide attempts in the family and 92 (30.7%) suicide attempts by friends. The following variables were associated with previous suicide attempts in the German sample: attempted suicide by friends, a life-threatening event, previous psychiatric contact, the death of a friend, low perceived family support, female gender, attempted suicide in the family, suicide of a friend, and low perceived friend support. The following variables were associated with previous suicide attempts in the South African sample: low perceived family support, death of a friend, attempted suicide by friends, female gender, a life-threatening event, previous psychiatric contact, suicide of friends, and attempted suicide in the family. The following variables for the German sample were found to be significant predictors of current suicidal risk: low perceived family and friend support, previous suicide attempts, suicide attempts in the family, a life-threatening event, suicide attempts of friends, suicide of friends, female gender, and previous psychiatric contact. The following variables for the South African sample were found to be significant predictors of current suicidal risk: previous suicide attempts, low perceived family and friend support, death of a friend, a life-threatening event, previous psychiatric contact, suicide attempts in the family, suicide of friends, and suicide attempts of friends. These findings show that suicidal behaviour is frequent in both countries. Suicidal deaths of friends and family is more prevalent in Germany, whereas religion or belief in god does not protect against suicide attempts in both countries. Results indicate that perceived support from family is a strong protective factor against suicide attempts. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

In this dissertation the literature on suicidal behaviour is reviewed, with particular emphasis on professional conceptualizations and understanding as informed by the psychiatric and sociological paradigms. Basic postulates of the Ecosystemic paradigm, as it is informed by Maturana's second-order cybernetic approach was discussed. The effect of such an approach on therapy with suicidal individuals was pointed out. It became clear that perceived methodological problems experienced when researching suicidal behaviour from a Newtonian/realist paradigm can be side-stepped when viewed from an Ecosystemic paradigm. It was finally proposed that an ethic of participation, as informed by a second-order cybernetic approach, be adopted when viewing the suicide situation. In the process ethics was reconceptualized as an awareness of the therapist's participation in whatever is created, and not in finding the ''right" way when working with suicidal individuals. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Wu Chi Hang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-49). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / List of Figures --- p.i / List of Tables --- p.ii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction to the Study --- p.1 / Introduction --- p.1 / The Role of Family Problems --- p.3 / The Mediating Effect of Self-Perception --- p.5 / The Mediating Effect of Beliefs about the World --- p.7 / Combining Self-Perceptions and Social Beliefs as Mediators --- p.11 / Gender Difference in the Mediation Model Interactions --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Method --- p.13 / Sample and Procedures --- p.13 / Instruments --- p.13 / McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) --- p.13 / Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) --- p.14 / Depression-Cognition: Cognition Checklist ´ؤ Depression (CCL-D) --- p.14 / Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale --- p.14 / The Social Axioms Survey --- p.14 / Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) --- p.15 / Analysis --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.17 / Correlation among Variables --- p.17 / Exploratory Factor Analysis of FAD and Self-Perceptions --- p.18 / Mediation Analysis for Suicidal Ideation --- p.20 / Model Containing both Mediators --- p.24 / Testing Gender Differences in the Model --- p.28 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.31 / Family and Suicidal Ideation --- p.31 / Family as a System --- p.32 / The Role of Social Beliefs --- p.34 / A Gender-General Model for Suicidal Ideation --- p.37 / Implications and Further Research --- p.38 / References --- p.40 / Appendix --- p.49

In this dissertation the literature on suicidal behaviour is reviewed, with particular emphasis on professional conceptualizations and understanding as informed by the psychiatric and sociological paradigms. Basic postulates of the Ecosystemic paradigm, as it is informed by Maturana's second-order cybernetic approach was discussed. The effect of such an approach on therapy with suicidal individuals was pointed out. It became clear that perceived methodological problems experienced when researching suicidal behaviour from a Newtonian/realist paradigm can be side-stepped when viewed from an Ecosystemic paradigm. It was finally proposed that an ethic of participation, as informed by a second-order cybernetic approach, be adopted when viewing the suicide situation. In the process ethics was reconceptualized as an awareness of the therapist's participation in whatever is created, and not in finding the ''right" way when working with suicidal individuals. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The purpose of this project was to explore perceptions of effective components in adolescent suicide prevention programs among San Bernardino school counselors. The stress model and the mental health model are the two models implemented in suicide prevention programs.

Detta är en fördjupande studie baserat på en kvantitativ folkhälsoundersökning som visade samband i särskilt utsatthet bland förekomst av vilka som allvarligt övervägt självmord och demografiska faktorer hos folkbokförda i Umeå. Byggt på premissen av det pågående suicidpreventiva arbetet i Umeå tar denna studie i anspråk att utforska vilka livsomständigheter som skiljer sig åt mellan den generella populationen i Umeå jämfört med de som allvarligt övervägt självmord, samt föreslå suicidpreventiva åtgärdsförslag utifrån resultaten.    Data som omsattes i denna studie var ursprungligen insamlat av Övergripande planering Umeå kommun genom ett stratifierat urval som svarade mot olika demografiska områden av Umeå som resulterade i 2588 svaranden, med en svarsfrekvens av 37% som deltog i en folkhälsoundersökning som omfattade 102 frågor vilka var kvalitetskontrollerade av SCB.  Studieförfattarna utformade en metod för att skala ner urvalet av livsomständigheter till 15 variabler som skulle överensstämma med studiens teman: demografi, ekonomiska förutsättningar, vanor, mående och stöd som alla ställdes mot frågan: “Har du allvarligt övervägt självmord?”, där 10,7% av de tillfrågade svarade affirmativt. Slutsatser av denna studie är att undersökta livsomständigheter såsom socioekonomiska faktorer, vanor, demografiska faktorer, mående och stöd indikeras vara relaterade till en högre förekomst av att ha allvarligt övervägt självmord för folkbokförda i Umeå. Bland annat visas fulltidsanställda vara 22,9% mindre sannolika- där studerande är mer än dubbelt så sannolika- där personer som har sjuk- eller aktivitetsersättning var 444,9% mer sannolika att allvarligt ha övervägt självmord. Svaranden anger oftare sämre sömn (42,9% jämfört med 70,7%) hos de som allvarligt övervägt självmord. 77,4% av svaranden med ångestrelaterade svårigheter- 43,0% av svaranden med behov av psykisk vård som inte sökt- och 56,4% av svaranden med psykiska funktionshinder uppger att de allvarligt övervägt självmord jämfört med 10,7% hos generella svaranden. Utifrån studiens resultat föreslår studieförfattarna kompletterande lokala suicidpreventiva åtgärder, men finner behov av åtgärder med nationellt omfång för att svara mot de bredare socioekonomiska- och sociala problem som premissen och resultatet av denna studie belyser. / This is an in-depth study based on a quantitative public health survey which raised cause for concern about sociodemographic differences in occurrence of who has seriously considered suicide in the municipality of Umeå. Following the premise built on the current suicide prevention work in Umeå this study aims to give insight on which living circumstances differ regarding those with suicidal ideation in Umeå compared to the general population and what proposed actions might be indicated from the results.   The data used in this study was originally sampled by Övergripande planering, Umeå municipality using a stratified selection of different demographics in Umeå resulting in 2588 participants, an answer rate of 37% who answered a public health survey consisting of 102 questions, which was quality checked by SCB.   By process of elimination finding relevant living circumstances the authors designed a method of selection resulting in 15 variables consistent with the subtypes: demographics, economical circumstances, habits, health and support, all of which to correlate with the question translated to: “Have you seriously considered suicide?” where 10,7% of respondents answered positively.   Conclusions from this study are that certain life circumstances such as socioeconomic factors, habits, demographic factors, well-being and support is indicated being related to a higher prevalence of having seriously considered suicide amongst habitants of Umeå. Key findings include full-time employed was 22,9% less likely-, where students were more than two times more likely- and people on welfare or sick leave were 444,9% more likely to have seriously considered suicide. Respondents are less likely to have a good nights sleep (42,9% compared to 70,7%) if they have seriously considered suicide. 77,4% of those with anxiety-related issues, 43,0% of those in need of medical care for psychological health and 56,4% of respondents with psychological disability responds to have seriously considered suicide compared to the average of 10,7%. The authors provide examples of local implementations based on the findings but arrive at the need for a national scope to come to terms with the wider socio-economic and social issues that is suggested by the premise and result of this study.

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)

Background: Suicidal individuals are vulnerable patients in need of a caring relationship. A caring relationship should be based on a real presence were the patient's needs are in focus. Yet research has shown that suicidal patients experience caring that exacerbate their suicidial problems and hopelessness. Aim: To describe the experiences of hope and hopelessness in suicidal patients and their encounter with health care. Methods: In a literature review, in accordance with Friberg (2012) eight scientific papers have used, analyzed and scrutinized to answer the purpose of a new whole. Results: Two main themes emerged in the results with related subcategories. Experiences of hopegiving acts with sub-themes: The significance of  a caring relationship, the significance of a strong social network and the significance of feelings of hopefulness. The second main theme that emerged was: Experiences of acts connected to hopelessness with subthemes: The significance of a non-confirmatory caring relationship and the significance of feelings of hopelessness. Discussions: It is found that suicidal patients experience care that lead to feelings of despair. Nursing theorist Rosemarie Rizzo Parse Human Becoming theory has been used as a basis for discussion in this literature review where a deepening of the results derived from the concept of a real presence. A real presence is all about the nurse's ability to share the lived situations of individuals and families in which hope can be expressed and shared. / Bakgrund: Självmordsnära individer är utsatta patienter i behov av en vårdande relation. En vårdande relation ska baseras på en verklig närvaro där patientens behov står i fokus. Forskning har dock visat att självmordsnära patienter upplever vårdande som förvärrar deras självmordsproblematik och hopplöshetskänslor. Syfte: Att beskriva upplevelser av hopp och hopplöshet hos självmordsnära patienter och deras möte med vården. Metod: I en litteraturöversikt i enlighet med Friberg (2012) har åtta vetenskapliga artiklar använts, analyserats och granskats för att besvara syftet i en ny helhet. Resultat: Två huvudteman framkom i resultatet med tillhörande subkategorier. Upplevelser av hoppingivande handlingar med underteman: Betydelsen av en vårdande relation, betydelsen av ett starkt socialt nätverk och betydelsen av känslor av hoppfullhet. Det andra huvudtemat som framkom är: Upplevelser av handlingar förknippade med hopplöshet med underteman: Betydelsen av en icke-bekräftande vårdrelation och betydelsen av känslor av hopplöshet. Diskussion: Det framkommer att självmordsnära patienter upplever vård som leder till både känslor av hopp och hopplöshet. Omvårdnadsteoretikern Rosemarie Rizzo Parse Human becoming teori har använts som underlag för diskussionen i denna litteraturöversikt där en fördjupning av resultatet härletts till konceptet verklig närvaro. En verklig närvaro handlar om sjuksköterskans förmåga att dela levda situationer med individer och anhöriga i vilka hopp kan uttryckas och delas.

Syftet med denna uppsats var att ta reda på vilka arbetssätt och bemötande professionella använder gentemot klienter med självmordstankar. Uppsatsen bygger på en kvalitativ intervjustudie där fem professionella som i sitt arbete möter klienter med självmordstankar varit delaktiga. Resultat visade att professionella använder sig av kartläggande samtal, bedömningsformulär, samtal och uppföljning i arbetet med dessa klienter. De professionella uppgav att det viktigaste i bemötandet är att lyssna, våga fråga, låta klienten berätta och visa att man finns där för klienten. Resultatet förväntades bidra till ökad kunskap om arbetssätt och bemötande gentemot klienter med självmordstankar för oss socialarbetare. Detta för att vi upplevde att vi saknade specifik utbildning i ämnet inom socionomutbildningen. / The aim of this study was to investigate the existing types of working methods and approaches used by professionals on clients with suicidal thoughts. Through interviews with five professionals who meet clients with suicidal thoughts, data were collected for a qualitative study. The result suggested that the working methods used by these professionals are mapping based on therapy talk, evaluation forms, talks and follow-ups. The professionals treat their clients by listening, having the courage to ask questions about suicide, to allow the client to narrate their story and to be there for the client. The results are expected to contribute to increasing our knowledge as social workers on working methods and approaches towards clients with suicidal thoughts. Our choice was based on the lack of specific training on that field within the study program in social work.

Les troubles des conduites alimentaires (TCA) et les troubles des conduites suicidaires (TCS) sont des pathologies mentales graves. Ces deux troubles représentent un problème de santé publique majeur. En effet, il s’agit de pathologies pour lesquelles les pronostics sont médiocres, ayant un impact lourd sur la vie des patients et de leur entourage et représentant un coût élevé pour la société. Il n’existe actuellement aucun biomarqueur validé dans l’une ou l’autre de ces pathologies. L’objectif de ce travail est de réussir à identifier de potentiels biomarqueurs dans ces deux troubles. L’identification de biomarqueurs potentiels pourrait être utile dans divers domaines : faciliter le diagnostic des patients, améliorer la prise en charge des patients et enfin servir de cibles thérapeutiques dans le but d’élaborer de nouveaux traitements plus efficaces. Nous présenterons dans ce travail l’intérêt et l’utilisation des biomarqueurs en psychiatrie puis deux axes d’exploration des TCA ainsi qu’un axe d’exploration des TCS: l’approche neuropsychologique ainsi que l’approche biologique pour les TCA et l’approche génétique pour les TCS. Concernant les TCA, nos résultats suggèrent un intérêt potentiel des oestro-progestatifs dans l’amélioration des fonctions cognitives des patientes. Au sujet des TCS, il semblerait que deux des polymorphismes génétiques que nous avons étudiés (l’un du gène MOR et l’autre du gène SKA2) soient associés avec le risque d’émergence d’idées suicidaires au cours de l’initiation d’un traitement antidépresseur. Si ces études étaient répliquées, ces divers éléments pourraient s’avérer être des outils diagnostics et thérapeutiques. / Eating Disorders (EDs) and Suicidal Behavior (SB) are severe mental illnesses. Those two disorders represent a major public health problem. Indeed, those pathologies present a poor prognosis, induce a heavy impact on patient and their families and represant an important cost for society. There is currently no validated biomarker in one or the other disorder. The goal of this work is to successfully identify potential biomarkers in both disorders. The identification of potential biomarkers could be useful in various areas: facilitating patient’s diagnosis, improving patient management, and serving as therapeutic targets for the development of new and more effective treatments. We will present in this work the interest and the use of biomarkers in psychiatry then two axes of exploration of EDs and finally an axis of exploration of SB: the neuropsychological approach as well as the biological approach for EDs and genetic approach for SB. Regarding TCA, our results suggest a potential interest of estrogen-progestins in improving the cognitive functions of patients. With regards to SB, it appears that two of the genetic polymorphisms we studied (one from the MOR gene and the other from the SKA2 gene) are associated with the risk of suicidal ideation during the initiation of suicide an antidepressant treatment. If those studies are replicated, those elements could peep out diagnostic and therapeutic tools.