This study investigated the seasonal, monthly and weekly variation of fatal suicidal behaviour in Pietermaritzburg, as well as the relationship between fatal suicidal behaviour and climate. Secondary analysis was performed on suicide data collected for two unpublished honours theses. Results indicate that there is significant monthly variation in the distribution of fatal suicidal behaviour in Pietermaritzburg, with the expected spring-summer peak and winter trough . This pattern was more pronounced for adults than for the youth or the elderly. There was no significant variation in the weekly distribution of suicide, and suicides did not reach a peak on Monday as has been evidenced in previous research. Instead, the distribution showed a peak on Sunday with a steady decrease towards the end of the week. An increase in humidity, ambient temperature and minimum temperature was associated with an increase in suicide rates . Overall this relationship was stronger for violent, than non-violent suicide. However, a significant negative relationship was found between hours of sunshine and suicide, but this was only significant for non-violent suicide. This study was largely descriptive, and further research is indicated in order to develop a theoretical framework for understanding the temporal distribution of suicide . / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

Among indigenous populations, there is significant evidence that the rates of completed suicide are much higher than in the general population. The current study examines whether the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts differ when comparing an American Indian reservation sample to a US general population sample. Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,877) and the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (N = 3,084). The current findings indicate that there are few differences in the likelihood of suicidal behavior in conjunction with particular disorders or traumas. However, American Indians appeared more likely to make a suicide attempt and less likely to have suicidal thoughts in their lifetime when compared with the general population. Although preliminary and exploratory, findings provide evidence that suicide interventions for indigenous populations may require modification based on differential risk factors for suicide.

Among indigenous populations, there is significant evidence that the rates of completed suicide are much higher than in the general population. The current study examines whether the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts differ when comparing an American Indian reservation sample to a US general population sample. Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,877) and the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (N = 3,084). The current findings indicate that there are few differences in the likelihood of suicidal behavior in conjunction with particular disorders or traumas. However, American Indians appeared more likely to make a suicide attempt and less likely to have suicidal thoughts in their lifetime when compared with the general population. Although preliminary and exploratory, findings provide evidence that suicide interventions for indigenous populations may require modification based on differential risk factors for suicide.

Zugl.: Jena, Univ., Diss., 2007

Univ., Diss./01--Halle-Wittenberg, 2000.

Finding an indicator that can point to a high risk group for suicide has long been a desirable aid for the prevention of completed suicides. The studies reviewed in this essay presume that a biological aspect can point out the high risk individual. The focus of the studies lies on the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) monoamine neurotransmitter and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) which is the principal metabolite of 5-HT in depression. The studies on 5-HT metabolites have led to the belief that these may play a key role in the neurochemistry of suicidal behaviour. It is suggested that the core behavioural effect of low CSF 5-HIAA concentration might result in an increase in impulsive and violent behaviour to self and others. The predictability is based on the fact that patients with low CSF 5-HIAA are more prone to reattempt and complete suicide by violent means. A number of well-designed studies concerning suicidal individuals and control subjects have however not shown any difference in concentration of CSF 5-HIAA in suicide attempters compared to non-suicide attempters which could be explained by methodological flaws. Low CSF 5-HIAA does seem to characterize the high risk individual, but it is not yet determined what role it plays in actual suicidality.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the independent variables of age, gender, residence, tribal affiliation, and perceived government control over tribal rights and the dependent variables of hopelessness, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. These attitudes are then explored as to their relationship to possible feelings of powerlessness among American Indians. The survey instruments used are the Beck Hopelessness Scale consisting of 20 items (Beck, Weissman, Lester, and Trexler, 1974), (Reproduced by permission of publisher, Psychological Corporation), the Self-Efficacy Scale consisting of 30 items (Sherer, Maddox, Merchandante, Prentice-Dunn, Jacobs, and Rodgers, 1982) (Reproduced by permission of Dr. Ronald W. Rogers), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale consisting of 10 items (Rosenberg, 1972) (Reproduced by permission of Dr. Florence Rosenberg) and a demographic questionnaire consisting of 6 items. These instruments were administered to 60 American Indians that make up the sample population of 25 respondents from tribal lands (reservation setting) and 35 respondents from an urban setting. Statistical analysis consists of crosstabulations using Chi-Square and t-tests (used to verify Chi-Square) to determine the significance of the relationship of the independent variables to the dependent variables previously mentioned. Fifteen hypotheses (page 10) were tested to explore the relationships between the above independent variables and the dependent variables. Out of the 15 hypotheses that were investigated two were supported. The two hypotheses are hypothesis 10 and 11. Hypothesis 10 states; American Indians who live on a reservation have more hopelessness than those who live in an urban setting. This hypothesis was indicated to be marginal by Chi-Square analysis but when a t-test was conducted it was shown to be significant. Hypothesis 11 states; American Indians in urban residency will have more self-efficacy than reservation residents. While the data provided minimal support for the theory that hopelessness, self-efficacy, and self-esteem have a relationship to feelings of powerlessness and thus suicide in the American Indian population the outcome of the study provides pertinent data for future research.

Adolescent suicide has been described as a major public health problem calling for the aid of researchers willing to better identify factors related to suicide risk. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds. Despite the fact incarcerated adolescents act in self-destructive ways, minimal research has focused on suicide behavior among incarcerated adolescents. Existing data indicates that suicide among adolescent males is especially prevalent in the juvenile justice system. Several variables have been identified as risk factors for suicidal behavior, including interpersonal relationship dysfunction, substance abuse, and psychological variables such as depression and dichotomous thinking. Incarcerated males have been shown to be more prone to these risks than the general population. There is a need to highlight these risks in context of this population, identifying behavior patterns over the life span. Addressing the need to identify behavior patterns within the incarcerated male youth population, this study focuses on one adolescent male involved with Utah's juvenile justice system who subsequently completed suicide. The identified youth suffered from substance abuse; its effects were devastating to himself and those around him. Furthermore, his hypersensitivity to disappointing others permeated his lifelong traits and behavior patterns. Interviewees reported that such hypersensitivity began early in life, prominently influencing his subsequent self-inflicted guilt in adolescence when drug use, the decision to drop-out of school, and incarceration became traumatic. As this case study exemplified, counselors, teachers, school psychologists, family, and friends need to be aware of the increased potential for suicide in incarcerated adolescents, particularly those who struggle with substance abuse and a comorbid disorder.

Nästan 1300 personer tog 2018 sitt liv i Sverige, av de hade ca en tredjedel en aktiv vårdkontakt. Suicidnära patienter förekommer i alla vårdkontexter, sjuksköterskan ansvarar för att planera och organisera vården för dessa patienter. Suicidtankar utgör ett lidande för patienten vilket är viktigt att det synliggörs vid en suicidriskbedömning. Problemet blir när sjukvården brister i sitt omhändertagande av patienten. Vi har därför valt att beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelse av att vårda patienter som uttryckt ohälsa i form av suicidalitet. Metoden som användes var en litteraturöversikt och 12 vetenskapliga artiklar analyserades. Resultatet strukturerades upp i tre huvudteman och visade att många sjuksköterskor upplevde sig ha en sämre attityd mot patienten på grund av brist på erfarenhet och kunskap. Det visade också på att sjuksköterskorna upplevde reflektion i arbetet positivt men att många också påverkades negativt av samhällets syn på suicid. Vår diskussion berör våra erfarenheter av reflektionens positiva betydelse i det kliniska arbetet och dess funktioner för att bättre kunna hantera patienter som uttryckt ohälsa i form av suicidtankar. Det behövs kunskap och ett öppnare samhällsklimat där det finns utrymme att tala om psykisk ohälsa för att vi på en bredare front ska kunna arbeta suicidpreventivt. Det behövs också mer forskning på sambandet mellan sjuksköterskans attityd mot patienten samt upplevelsen av vårdandet och vilken kunskap eller erfarenhet sjuksköterskan har av att vårda patienter med suicidtankar. / In 2018 almost 1300 people committed suicide in Sweden, about a third of them had an active care contact. Suicidal patients are present in all kind of care, the nurse is responsible for planning and organizing the care for these patients. Suicidal thoughts constitutes a suffering for the patient which is important to make visible in a suicide risk assessment. The problem appears when the healthcare system fails in its care for the patient. We have therefore chosen to describe the nurses experience of caring for patients who have expresses ill health in the form of suicidality. The method used was a literature review and twelve scientific articles were analyzed. The result was structured into three main themes and showed that many nurses experienced a poorer attitude towards the patient due to lack of experience and knowledge. It also showed that the nurses experienced reflection in the work positively but that many were also negatively affected by society's view of suicide. Our discussion relates to our experiences of the positive effect of reflection in clinical work and its functions to better care for patients who have expressed ill health in the form of suicidal thoughts. There is a need for knowledge and a more open societal climate where there is room to talk about mental illness in order for us to work with suicide prevention on a wider front. There is also a need for more research on the relationship between the nurse’s attitude towards the patient together with the experience of the caring and the knowledge or experience the nurse has to care for patients with suicidal thoughts.

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