Identifying psychological factors that can predict suicide risk is essential for reducing suicide rates. Shneidman (1993) postulated that psychache (or psychological pain) is a unique predictor of suicide when controlling for other relevant factors such as depression and hopelessness. Previous cross-sectional research has established a relationship between psychache and suicidality, leaving the question of whether or not feelings of psychache actually precede suicidal behaviours unanswered. Two studies were undertaken to increase knowledge on the relationship of depression, hopelessness, and psychache to suicidality. Psychological variables were examined prospectively to allow inferences to be drawn on their causal implications for suicidality. In Study 1, students (n = 1475) completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Psychache Scale, Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation and provided information about prior suicidal behaviour. Regression analyses revealed that psychache was most strongly associated with suicidality, but that depression and hopelessness still contributed unique variance in the prediction of some suicidal outcomes. In Study 2, a subset of suicide ideators and attempters completed identical materials 10 weeks later (n = 90) and then another 10 weeks after that (n = 56). Again, regression analyses revealed that psychache was most strongly associated with suicidality. When looking at changes over time, dropping one predictor at a time could not overcome problems of multicollinearity, as most models were significant, but with no individual prediction from the factors. Results from models with significant regression coefficients revealed that psychache, hopelessness, and depression may be causes for suicide ideation. Theoretical and practical implications for the statistical prediction of suicide risk are discussed. / Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-03-20 10:53:20.277

Suicide takes the lives of over 3,500 Canadians each year, making prevention an important public health concern. Identifying psychological predictors of suicide risk is essential because these variables may be amenable to change in treatment, unlike demographic or historical factors. Although past research reveals that both hopelessness and depression are moderately strong predictors of suicidal outcomes, neither one of these constructs alone, or combined, is able to fully account for suicidality. Shneidman postulated that a different psychological construct, termed psychache, is a unique predictor of suicide when controlling for depression and hopelessness, and research has supported this assertion. Although evidence for psychache as a predictor of suicidal outcomes is accumulating, previous research has limitations, namely the use of cross-sectional research and a focus on healthy student populations. In addition, it has been suggested that because scales measuring depression, hopelessness, and psychache correlate highly, they are not distinct constructs, but instead represent a single syndrome. The general purpose of the current studies is to establish the importance of psychache as a predictor of suicidal ideation. In order to address past limitations in the literature on psychache, three related studies were conducted. The first study was cross-sectional and examined a general group of undergraduate students. Factor analysis showed that psychache, depression, and hopelessness are three correlated, but distinct, variables. The second study was a longitudinal study where self-report measures were administered to high-risk undergraduate students. A two-year follow-up revealed that psychache was the only significant predictor of suicidal ideation at follow-up, and that its inclusion rendered the predictive value of depression and hopelessness to nonsignificant levels. The final study involved two groups of undergraduates and was a longitudinal study with a five-month follow-up. One group was a general university sample, and the other was a group of high-risk students. The two groups were analyzed separately, but showed almost identical results, lending support to the generalization of results from university samples to clinical samples. In addition, for each group, psychache was a unique predictor of suicidal ideation and suicide preparation, after controlling for depression and hopelessness. Overall, these studies suggest that psychache is distinct from depression and hopelessness, and is a better predictor of suicidality than depression or hopelessness when studied longitudinally in both general and high-risk undergraduate students. The findings also indicate congruence between low and high-risk samples, highlighting the generalizability of psychache as a predictor. This research has implications for the assessment of suicide risk and treatment for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. It is hoped that these studies will help bring psychache forward as a pre-eminent risk factor alongside depression and hopelessness. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2014-04-26 12:13:48.797

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Schotte and Clum (1982,1987) proposed a model of suicide ideation in which cognitive rigidity (in the presenc eof negative life stress) causes a reduction in problem solving capacity and subsequently leads to hopelessness, which in turn increases the risk for suicide ideation. The aim of the current study was to attempt to improve the model by the addition of a coping variable. The model was tested using a sample 05 85 undergraduate psychology students. the subjects were requested to complete a total of five questionnaires on a once only basis. A new model was developed in which a low level of problem solving confidence and a failure to express emotions combines with the presence of negative life stress to lead to a state of hopelessness, which in turn increases the risk of suicideideation. Results of the study are discussed in terms of the need for a more complex model of suicide ideation which more fully accounts for the effects of different coping strategies on the development of feelings of hopelessness. / Masters Thesis

Suicide is a complex phenomenon, which can be prevented if intensive and continuous research is being done to determine tendencies and to compile profiles of high-risk cases. Suicide prevention is currently a high priority in the South African Police Service (SAPS). In the Northern Cape various potential stressors, such as a high crime level, lack of resources and vast distances to travel are some of the challenges members of the police service face. Increased rates of post-traumatic stress, alcohol abuse, depression and suicides are found in research with police members. Research that was done in the SAPS shows that the number of suicide among police officers increased from 11 suicides per 10 000 during 1999 to 13 suicides per 10 000 during 2000. The numbers of suicides in the SAPS in the Northern Cape are of the highest of all the Provinces. Suicide ideation can be considered an early marker for more serious suicidal behaviour. However, there is a lack of empirical research systematically investigating suicide ideation and possible correlates thereof in the SAPS in the Northern Cape. This research investigated the relationship between suicide ideation, stress and coping within SAPS in the Northern Cape. The aim of this research was to determine the level of suicide ideation and possible correlates thereof. Further aims included predicting suicide ideation by meqs of stress and coping variables. The research method for this article consists out of a brief literature review and an empirical study. A cross sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n=274) as taken of members from police stations in the Northern Cape. The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ), Police Stress Inventory (PSI), COPE Questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that 3.28 % of the sample showed serious levels of suicide ideation. It was shown that previous suicide attempts, medical status, passive coping, problem-focussed coping, police stressors and job demands could be used to predict suicide ideation. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

It is important to have a productive and healthy police service in South Africa and to research suicide ideation and burnout. The objectives of this research were to determine the relationship between suicide ideation, work stress and coping; to determine if work stress and coping can be used to predict suicide ideation; to determine the casual factors of suicide ideation; to determine if t he Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) is a valid and reliable instrument to measure burnout; to determine the relationship between work stress and burnout and to determine if coping strategies can moderate or mediate the relationship between work stress an burnout. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 340) was taken from police stations in the Western Cape. The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ), MBI-GS, Police Stress Inventory (PSI), COPE questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The results showed that job stress can indeed cause suicide ideation, but that an individual's coping response is a critical component in the determining of the impact of a stressor. Suicide ideation correlates statistically significant with job demands and a lack of resources, and job stress and coping can be used to predict suicide ideation in the SAPS. Avoidance, alcohol misuse, the presence of a medical condition, a previous suicide attempt, and rank are variants which could predict suicide ideation in the SAPS. The MBI-GS is a reliable and valid measuring instrument. Job stress leads to higher levels of exhaustion, which in turn leads to higher levels o f cynicism and lower levels of professional efficacy. Coping strategies c an moderate or mediate the relationship between job stress and burnout. Recommendations for the prevention and management of suicide ideation and burnout have been made, as well as recommendations with regard to future research on suicide ideation and burnout in the SAPS in the Western Cape. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Suicide is a complex phenomenon, which can be prevented if intensive and continuous research is being done to determine tendencies and to compile profiles of high-risk cases. Suicide prevention is currently a high priority in the South African Police Service (SAPS). In the Northern Cape various potential stressors, such as a high crime level, lack of resources and vast distances to travel are some of the challenges members of the police service face. Increased rates of post-traumatic stress, alcohol abuse, depression and suicides are found in research with police members. Research that was done in the SAPS shows that the number of suicide among police officers increased from 11 suicides per 10 000 during 1999 to 13 suicides per 10 000 during 2000. The numbers of suicides in the SAPS in the Northern Cape are of the highest of all the Provinces. Suicide ideation can be considered an early marker for more serious suicidal behaviour. However, there is a lack of empirical research systematically investigating suicide ideation and possible correlates thereof in the SAPS in the Northern Cape. This research investigated the relationship between suicide ideation, stress and coping within SAPS in the Northern Cape. The aim of this research was to determine the level of suicide ideation and possible correlates thereof. Further aims included predicting suicide ideation by meqs of stress and coping variables. The research method for this article consists out of a brief literature review and an empirical study. A cross sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n=274) as taken of members from police stations in the Northern Cape. The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ), Police Stress Inventory (PSI), COPE Questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that 3.28 % of the sample showed serious levels of suicide ideation. It was shown that previous suicide attempts, medical status, passive coping, problem-focussed coping, police stressors and job demands could be used to predict suicide ideation. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

It is important to have a productive and healthy police service in South Africa and to research suicide ideation and burnout. The objectives of this research were to determine the relationship between suicide ideation, work stress and coping; to determine if work stress and coping can be used to predict suicide ideation; to determine the casual factors of suicide ideation; to determine if t he Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) is a valid and reliable instrument to measure burnout; to determine the relationship between work stress and burnout and to determine if coping strategies can moderate or mediate the relationship between work stress an burnout. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 340) was taken from police stations in the Western Cape. The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ), MBI-GS, Police Stress Inventory (PSI), COPE questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The results showed that job stress can indeed cause suicide ideation, but that an individual's coping response is a critical component in the determining of the impact of a stressor. Suicide ideation correlates statistically significant with job demands and a lack of resources, and job stress and coping can be used to predict suicide ideation in the SAPS. Avoidance, alcohol misuse, the presence of a medical condition, a previous suicide attempt, and rank are variants which could predict suicide ideation in the SAPS. The MBI-GS is a reliable and valid measuring instrument. Job stress leads to higher levels of exhaustion, which in turn leads to higher levels o f cynicism and lower levels of professional efficacy. Coping strategies c an moderate or mediate the relationship between job stress and burnout. Recommendations for the prevention and management of suicide ideation and burnout have been made, as well as recommendations with regard to future research on suicide ideation and burnout in the SAPS in the Western Cape. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

bgelaye@hsph.harvard.edu / Article / Objective: To examine the independent and joint relationships of poor subjective sleep quality and antepartum depression with suicidal ideation among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 641 pregnant women attending prenatal care clinics in Lima, Peru. Antepartumdepression and suicidal ideationwere assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale. Antepartumsubjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic regression procedures were performed to estimate odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) adjusted for confounders. Results: Overall, the prevalence of suicidal ideation in this cohort was 16.8% and poor subjective sleep qualitywas more common among women endorsing suicidal ideation as compared to their counterpartswho did not (47.2% vs. 24.8%, Pb.001). After adjustment for confounders including maternal depression, poor subjective sleep quality (defined using the recommended criteria of PSQI global score of N5 vs. ≤5) was associated with a 1.7-fold increased odds of suicidal ideation (aOR=1.67; 95% CI 1.02–2.71). When assessed as a continuous variable, each 1-unit increase in the global PSQI score resulted in an 18% increase in odds for suicidal ideation, even after adjusting for depression (aOR=1.18; 95% CI 1.08–1.28). Women with both poor subjective sleep quality and depression had a 3.5-fold increased odds of suicidal ideation (aOR=3.48; 95% CI 1.96–6.18) as compared with those who had neither risk factor. Conclusion: Poor subjective sleep quality was associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation. Replication of these findings may promote investments in studies designed to examine the efficacy of sleep-focused interventions to treat pregnant women with sleep disorders and suicidal ideation. / This research was supported by an award fromtheNational Institutes of Health (NIH; R01-HD-059835, T37-MD000149 and K01MH100428). The NIH had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The authors wish to thank the dedicated staff members of Asociacion Civil Proyectos en Salud (PROESA), Peru and Instituto Especializado Materno Perinatal, Peru, for their expert technical assistance with this research. / Revisión por pares

No study to date has simultaneously examined the commonalities and unique aspects of positive psychological factors and whether these factors uniquely account for a reduction in suicide risk. Using a factor analytic approach, the current study examined the relationships between grit, hope, optimism, and their unique and overlapping relationships in predicting suicide ideation. Results of principle axis factor analysis demonstrated close relationships between these variables at both the construct and item level. Item-level analyses supported a five-factor solution (Stick-to-Itiveness, Poor Future, Consistency of Interest, Positive Future, and Poor Pathways). Four of the five factors (excluding Stick-to-Itiveness) were associated with suicide ideation. Additionally, results of a multiple regression analysis indicated that two of the five factors (Consistency of Interest and Positive Future) negatively predicted suicide ideation while Poor Future positively predicted suicide ideation. Implications regarding the interrelationships between grit, hope, and optimism with suicide ideation are discussed.