L10: Psychology Of Suicidal Behavior Flashcards
What are 2 theories of suicidal behavior and explain them
- Interpersonal theory of suicide (Joiner); thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and capability for suicide influence someone’s desire for suicide —> a combination of all of these leads to lethal or near-lethal suicide attempts
-
Integrated motivational-volitional model of suicidal behavior; suicide is a behavior (rather than a by-product of mental disorders) that develops through motivational/volitional phases
- pre-motivational phase; background factors and triggering events such as diathesis, environment and life events
- motivational phase = describes factors that govern development of suicidal ideation/intent
- volitional phase = outlines factors that determine whether an individual commits suicide
—> feelings of defeat and entrapment are central and lead to increase in suicidal ideation when motivational factors are present
What are 4 categories of psychological risk and protective factors of suicide
- Personality and individual differences
- Cognitive factors
- Social factors
- Negative life events
Name 5 factors in personality and individual differences that are associated with suicidal behavior
- hopelessness
- impulsivity
- perfectionism; specifically socially prescribed perfectionism = belief that others hold unrealistically high expectations of you
- big five; high levels of neuroticism and low levels of extraversion
- optimism/resilience; optimism reduces risk, resilience seems less relevant
Name 13 cognitive factors that are associated with suicidal behavior
- cognitive rigidity
- rumination
- thought suppression
- decreased ability to recall autobiographical memories
- belongingness/burdensomeness
- fearlessness and higher pain threshold/tolerance are found in suicidal individuals
- problem solving and coping skills are impaired
- agitation
- implicit associations between death and the self
- attentional biases towards suicide-related stimuli, strong predictor
- future thinking and goal adjustment; not found in suicidal individuals
- reasons for living are also found less in suicidal individuals
- defeat and entrapment
Name 5 social factors that are associated with suicidal behavior
- family history of suicide
- exposure to suicidal behavior
- maternal suicidal behavior > paternal
- psychological processes (eg. imitation, suggestion, social learning, etc.)
- social isolation/absence of social support
Name 4 negative life event factors that are associated with suicidal behavior
- childhood adversities
-
traumatic life events during adulthood
—> for both, sexual/physical abuse seems to be worst - physical illness
- other interpersonal stressors (eg. romantic/legal/income problems, victimization, etc.)
How much reduction of suicide rates has there been from 2000-2019
36%
What are 4 effective evidence-based strategies to prevent suicide
- limiting access to means of suicide
- interacting with the media for responsible reporting to suicide
- fostering socio-emotional life-skills in adolescents
- early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal behavior
Describe the gender paradox and give 2 reasons why this might exist
= the fact that prevalence of suicidal thoughts/attempts is higher in women, but death by suicide is higher in men
- maybe because their behavior can be more aggressive; die easier from their behavior
- maybe because they tend to share their emotions less
Explain the vulnerability paradox and give 3 reasons why it might exist
= suicide rates in high-income countries are higher
- maybe because in these countries there is better registration of suicide
- maybe because people in these countries dont generally die from other things
- maybe because there is more individualization; not feeling part of a group is a big risk-factor for suicidal behavior
Explain the Goethe-effect and the Papageno-effect
Goethe-effect = media reports of suicides (especially of famous people, and especially when specifics are reported on) may lead to more suicides
Papageno-effect = media exposure may also help people to talk about their own suicidal behavior —> positive effect
What are 6 do’s regarding suicidal behavior in the media
- provide info about where/how to seek help
- recognise that media professionals may be affected
- apply caution when reporting celebrity suicides
- educate public on facts about suicide (prevention)
- report stories of how to cope
- apply caution when interviewing bereaved family/friends
What are 8 don’ts regarding suicidal behavior in the media
- sensational language use in headlines
- describing methods that were used
- name or provide details about site/location
- report the details of suicide notes
- oversimplify the reason
- use photo/video material
- use language that sensationalizes/romanticizes/normalizes
- unduly repeat stories/put them as top story
Safety planning
Helping people realize what leads to their really bad periods (warning signals) and what they can do themselves/who they can go to for help; can keep this report around to recognize when its getting worse and what to do about it
What are 7 strategic goals of the national agenda
- Dare and learn to talk about suicide
- Train professionals
- Invest in suicide prevention in the neighborhood
- Increase reach of specific riskgroups
- Improve care by collaboration between professionals, loved ones and people with lived experience
- Limiting access to means
- Develop national learning system
