Suicide and suicidal attempts have increased over the years and the phenomenon is rapidly increasing countrywide. The rate in increase has not been happe•ning only internationally, but has unsettlingly noted to be rising in South Africa, too. Suicidal attempt has become one of the biggest social problems amongst the youths, and a problem that society has to grapple with. According to the media and statistics presented, the youth engage with destructive behavior and attempted suicide is rampant amongst Black adolescents. The young person imitates his peers and is constantly under pressure to do as the group does. Thus conformity and acceptance are the core words. The adolescent attempts suicide to solve problems. Various reasons are given for suicidal attempts and the youth names amongst others family problems, academic issues, relationship problems and so forth. In the attempt to take own life. different methods are used to commit suicide which range from overdosage, especially amongst females, to ingestion of harmful substances like bleach (clothes detergent) and hair products. Amongst males, more drastic actions in method of attempting suicide are used like hanging, gunshot and jumping from high places like bridges and buildings. There are also instances of self-inflicted burning (immolation) in some cases. Black youths have been found in recent years to engage in suicide and suicidal tendencies, whereas in previous years the tendency was almost non-existent. This calls for an investigation in Black adolescents' way of life and specifically in what their needs are. The latter is drawn from the profile presented; a task which was not easy as there exist little or no literature in this regard. This study should thus be seen as a precursor for further and more comprehensive and exclusive research especially on the social functioning of Blacks and their communities, in general. The results should be used to have sustainable school programmes aimed at the youth in general, but specifically those at risk and displaying destructive behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Suicide and suicidal attempts have increased over the years and the phenomenon is rapidly increasing countrywide. The rate in increase has not been happe•ning only internationally, but has unsettlingly noted to be rising in South Africa, too. Suicidal attempt has become one of the biggest social problems amongst the youths, and a problem that society has to grapple with. According to the media and statistics presented, the youth engage with destructive behavior and attempted suicide is rampant amongst Black adolescents. The young person imitates his peers and is constantly under pressure to do as the group does. Thus conformity and acceptance are the core words. The adolescent attempts suicide to solve problems. Various reasons are given for suicidal attempts and the youth names amongst others family problems, academic issues, relationship problems and so forth. In the attempt to take own life. different methods are used to commit suicide which range from overdosage, especially amongst females, to ingestion of harmful substances like bleach (clothes detergent) and hair products. Amongst males, more drastic actions in method of attempting suicide are used like hanging, gunshot and jumping from high places like bridges and buildings. There are also instances of self-inflicted burning (immolation) in some cases. Black youths have been found in recent years to engage in suicide and suicidal tendencies, whereas in previous years the tendency was almost non-existent. This calls for an investigation in Black adolescents' way of life and specifically in what their needs are. The latter is drawn from the profile presented; a task which was not easy as there exist little or no literature in this regard. This study should thus be seen as a precursor for further and more comprehensive and exclusive research especially on the social functioning of Blacks and their communities, in general. The results should be used to have sustainable school programmes aimed at the youth in general, but specifically those at risk and displaying destructive behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Esta dissertação busca estabelecer limites ao Direito Penal na questão da tentativa de crimes de perigo abstrato. Esse estudo refere-se ao complexo tema dos limites do Direito Penal e seus importantes resultados. O tema é abordado de acordo com o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, incluindo um breve estudo sobre a natureza do perigo, a teoria do bem jurídico e as diversas teorias de interpretação dogmática dos crimes de perigo abstrato. Como resultado, foi detectada a necessidade de um estudo combinado da estrutura do bem jurídico e da avaliação dogmática dos crimes de perigo abstrato para se tratar do tema da legitimidade. / This dissertation intends to stabilish limits to Criminal Law in the matter of abstract crime of danger attempted. This essay refers to the complex theme of Criminal Law in Risk Societys limits and its important outcomes. The approach is based on an analysis of Criminal Law legitimacy according to the Brazilian Law, including, a brief study on the nature of danger, the legally protected interest and the several theories of abstract crime of danger dogmatic interpretations. As a result, it was detected the need for a combined study of the Rechtsgut (legally protected interest) structure and the dogmatic evaluation of abstract crime of danger to treat the legitimacy issue.

Se a criança é negligenciada ou passou por experiências traumáticas durante o processo de desenvolvimento, isso pode desencadear, além de sofrimento psíquico intenso nesta fase, predisposição para uma série de transtornos mentais e prejuízo ao funcionamento na vida adulta, inclusive levando a tentativa de suicídio. Objetivos: A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar a ocorrência de traumas infantis em adultos sobreviventes de suicídio atendidos no Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre no Rio Grande do Sul, além da ocorrência de perda de figura significativa na infância, presença de doença psiquiátrica atual, intensidade de sintomas depressivos, perda de pessoa significativa recente e apoio social em comparação a controles. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo de caso-controle (28 casos; 56 controles). O estudo foi realizado de 20 de agosto de 2015 a 21 de março de 2016, utilizando os seguintes instrumentos: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), e Medical Outcomes Study (MOS). Justificativa: A escolha do tema justificou-se pelo expressivo número de sujeitos que ingressam no referido hospital por tentativa de suicídio (TS), constituindo uma população em que o entendimento de fatores de risco pode auxiliar na identificação de diferentes fatores envolvidos neste fenômeno e na elaboração de estratégias de intervenção e prevenção. Resultados: A amostra examinada (n=84; 28 casos e 56 controles) demonstrou uma distribuição semelhante em relação ao gênero (M/F = 46,4%/53,6%) com uma idade média de 35,6 anos (DP=12,8). Através do instrumento CTQ foram avaliados os traumas na infância. Os grupos (caso x controle) apresentaram médias distintas nas variáveis abuso emocional (p<0,001), abuso físico (p<0,001), negligência emocional (p<0,001) e negligência física (p<0,001). Nos casos de tentativas de suicídio foi realizada uma análise através do BDI e MINI, onde 94,4% (n=17) tinham risco elevado de reincidência de uma nova tentativa e apresentavam Transtorno Depressivo Grave em comparação aos controles onde nenhum paciente apresentou risco de suicídio elevado e Transtorno Depressivo Grave (p <0,001) . Segundo a MOS, a contagem de um parente e/ou amigo a mais protege o risco de suicídio em 24%. Quando somados, a dimensão afetiva com a interação social, um ponto a mais protege em 70% (p<0,001). Ao relacionarmos a dimensão emocional com a dimensão informação, ficou em 63% (p<0,001). Conclusões: Os resultados do estudo apontaram uma importante associação entre traumas na infância e tentativa de suicídio na vida adulta, apontando por exemplo a importância da adoção de ações preventivas e terapêuticas relacionadas a maus-tratos durante o desenvolvimento infantil como fator importante na redução de risco para o suicídio. A rede de apoio possui importância no suporte social na vida de qualquer pessoa. Nesta pesquisa, os pacientes do grupo controle apresentaram mais suporte social, com maior probabilidade de serem mais ativos e interativos com o meio em que vivem. / If a child is neglected or experiences traumatic events during development, this can unleash—beyond the intense psychological suffering at the time—a predisposition for a number of mental disorders, up to and including suicide attempt, and impair functioning as an adult. Objectives: The present study sought to identify the incidence of childhood trauma as well as the loss of a loved one during childhood, the presence of current psychiatric illness, intensity of depression symptoms, recent loss of a loved one, and social support in comparison to controls in adult suicide attempt survivors treated at Hospital de Pronto Socorro in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The study is considered a case-control study (28 cases, 56 controls). It took place from August 20th, 2015 to March 21st, 2016 and utilized the following instruments: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS). Justification: The choice of topic was justified by the considerable number of subjects admitted to the hospital for suicide attempt (SA). The subjects constituted a population for which the understanding of risk factors could help in the identification of the various elements involved in this phenomenon and in the elaboration of intervention and prevention strategies. Results: The examined sample (n = 84; 28 cases and 56 controls) had an approximately equal gender distribution (M/F = 46.4%/53.6%) and a mean age of 35.6 years (SD = 12.8). Childhood trauma was evaluated via the CTQ instrument. The groups (case and control) presented distinct means in variables of emotional abuse (p < .001), physical abuse (p < .001), emotional neglect (p < .001), and physical neglect (p < .001). The suicide attempt cases were analyzed using the BDI and MINI, which indicated 94.4% (n = 17) had elevated risk of relapsing into another suicide attempt and presented Major Depressive Disorder relative to the controls, where no patient had an elevated risk of suicide attempt or Major Depressive Disorder (p < .001). According to MOS, having a close relative and/or friend offered the greatest protection against suicide risk in 25% of cases. When added, the affective and social interaction dimensions the protection is 70% (p < .001). By linking the dimension emotional with the informational, 63% is achieved (p < .001). Conclusions: The results of the study point to a strong relationship between childhood trauma and suicide attempt in adulthood, indicating, for example, the importance of the adoption of preventative and therapeutic actions related to mistreatment in childhood as a key factor in the reduction of suicide risk. The support network plays a critical role in the social well-being of any person. In this study, control group patients presented greater social support and were likelier to be more active and interactive in their communities.

Suicide is a major public health issue in the United States. Some studies show decreased suicide rates in religious populations, but it is unclear how religiosity might be linked to suicidal behavior of adolescents emerging into adulthood. To this point few studies have examined the relationship between adolescent suicidal ideation and several risk factors at once and the role of religiosity in these relationships. Drawing from Waves I-III of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health data from 1994 to 2002, I sought to explore the relationship between religiosity (i.e. religious affiliation, service attendance, prayer, perceived importance of religion) and suicidal ideation of adolescents over time. Additionally, associations between risk factors (i.e. poor parental relationship, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, suicidal behavior of friends and family, drug use, alcohol use, aggressive behavior) and risk of suicidal ideation were assessed by simple logistic regression analyses. Multivariate analyses were then used to examine the relationships among the risk factors and suicidal ideation. In a second step of the multivariate analyses, religiosity was added to the model to test if there would be a change in the odds ratios. Results of the simple logistic regression indicated adolescents’ religiosity was negatively correlated with suicidal ideation, while the selected risk factors were positively correlated with suicidal ideation among adolescent participants. However, as participants became young adults, one religiosity measure (i.e. prayer) and one aggressive behavior measure (i.e. access to weapons) were no longer significantly related to their suicidal ideation. Also, females and Whites were more likely to report suicidal ideation than males or African Americans, respectively. In the multivariate models all the selected suicide risk factors were positively correlated with suicidal ideation. When religiosity was added to the model, it had a positive impact on aggressive behavior among older adolescents in Wave II (35% reduced risk) and drug use among younger adolescents in Wave I (14% reduced risk). Religiosity had marginal impact on the rest of the risk factors: 0.1% – 2.4% reduced risk in some and 0.2% – 1.6% increased risk in others in all 3 waves.

Suicidal behavior, including suicide attempt, may result from maladaptive explanatory patterns for past negative life events, in which a person attributes the causes of stressors to internal, stable and global factors. Conversely, an optimistic explanatory style involves perceiving negative life events as external, transient and specific, and may be related to reduced suicide risk. We examined the association between attributional style and lifetime suicide attempts in 135 college students, covarying age, race and ethnicity. Participants provided informed consent and completed an online survey. An optimistic explanatory style was associated with reduced risk of suicide attempt; this effect persisted in a model controlling for hopelessness and depressive symptoms. The manner in which an individual interprets negative life events may buffer against suicidal behavior. Therapeutic strategies to promote an optimistic explanatory style may be successful in the prevention of suicide.

The objective of this study was to examine the combined moderating effects of life stress and loneliness on the association between social problem solving ability (SPS) and suicidal behaviors. We assessed SPS, suicidal behavior, loneliness, and stressful life events in a sample of 385 ethnically diverse college students. Overall, only loneliness moderated the association between SPS and suicidal behaviors. Across ethnic groups, loneliness moderated the association between SPS and suicidal behavior for Blacks, Whites, and Asians; life stress was a moderator for Hispanics. For most individuals, loneliness increases the strength of the association between poor problem-solving and suicidal behaviors. For Hispanics, life stress exacerbates this relationship. Ethnically-specific prevention strategies targeting loneliness and life stress may promote effective problem-solving, reducing suicide risk.

Defines Beck Hopelessness Inventory.

<p>This dissertation discusses how reputation, virginity and honour are made topical in the stories of the lives of Arab and Kurdish women and connected with understandings of culture and religion. The dissertation is composed of five articles, which contain the principal analysis, and five chapters that discuss the project as a whole; the development of the main topics, and choices concerning methodological, ethical and theoretical approaches. </p><p>The empirical material of the dissertation consists of interviews with ten Arab and Kurdish women in Sweden, and seven legal cases of honor related violence. The interview material is analysed as a whole – focusing on the importance of reputation in women’s creation of identity, and how this may be related to cultural conceptions of divided femininity (virgin-whore) and honour (article 4). I also conduct an in-depth analysis of one interview, where meaning is created through a story, in which liberty is contrasted with constraint (article 3). In the analysis of the legal cases, I discuss the arguments of verdicts concerning honour related violence, and criticise the courts’ understanding of crimes as demarcated acts (articles 1 & 5). I also analyse the (violent) stories of the actual lives of women found in the legal cases in their contexts (articles 2 & 5).</p><p>Throughout the dissertation, I aim at a constructivist attempt that sees culture and gender as creative frames of interpretation. This attempt is connected with a hermeneutic perspective, which sees a statement or an act as comprehensible only when interpreted in its context (e.g. in a cultural context of honour). It is also connected with a feminist understanding of men’s violence against women, which relates the meaning of an act of violence to culturally accepted forms of control and cultural conceptions of gender.</p><p>In the analysis of the empirical material, I show how culture is created as contrast in the lives of women. ’Arab/Kurdish’ and ’Swedish’ appear as exclusive categories, and are connected with cultural conceptions of divided femininity and honour. Within these categories, a woman is either a virgin or a whore, and a woman that has been branded as a whore will be stained forever. Men’s honour will not be restored until she is extinguished. When these cultural conceptions are used in the life of a woman who lives with these highly normative demands, they may be crucial and signify experiences of violence. A woman with bad reputation may be defined as a ”Swedish whore” be her male relatives, contrasted with being an ”Arab/Kurdish virgin”. The honour of these men will not be restored until she is excluded from the family or dies: to be a virgin or a whore may be a life-and-death matter.</p>

This dissertation discusses how reputation, virginity and honour are made topical in the stories of the lives of Arab and Kurdish women and connected with understandings of culture and religion. The dissertation is composed of five articles, which contain the principal analysis, and five chapters that discuss the project as a whole; the development of the main topics, and choices concerning methodological, ethical and theoretical approaches. The empirical material of the dissertation consists of interviews with ten Arab and Kurdish women in Sweden, and seven legal cases of honor related violence. The interview material is analysed as a whole – focusing on the importance of reputation in women’s creation of identity, and how this may be related to cultural conceptions of divided femininity (virgin-whore) and honour (article 4). I also conduct an in-depth analysis of one interview, where meaning is created through a story, in which liberty is contrasted with constraint (article 3). In the analysis of the legal cases, I discuss the arguments of verdicts concerning honour related violence, and criticise the courts’ understanding of crimes as demarcated acts (articles 1 &amp; 5). I also analyse the (violent) stories of the actual lives of women found in the legal cases in their contexts (articles 2 &amp; 5). Throughout the dissertation, I aim at a constructivist attempt that sees culture and gender as creative frames of interpretation. This attempt is connected with a hermeneutic perspective, which sees a statement or an act as comprehensible only when interpreted in its context (e.g. in a cultural context of honour). It is also connected with a feminist understanding of men’s violence against women, which relates the meaning of an act of violence to culturally accepted forms of control and cultural conceptions of gender. In the analysis of the empirical material, I show how culture is created as contrast in the lives of women. ’Arab/Kurdish’ and ’Swedish’ appear as exclusive categories, and are connected with cultural conceptions of divided femininity and honour. Within these categories, a woman is either a virgin or a whore, and a woman that has been branded as a whore will be stained forever. Men’s honour will not be restored until she is extinguished. When these cultural conceptions are used in the life of a woman who lives with these highly normative demands, they may be crucial and signify experiences of violence. A woman with bad reputation may be defined as a ”Swedish whore” be her male relatives, contrasted with being an ”Arab/Kurdish virgin”. The honour of these men will not be restored until she is excluded from the family or dies: to be a virgin or a whore may be a life-and-death matter.