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Explaining Suicide
Patterns, Motivations, and What Notes Reveal
1st Edition - January 3, 2017
Authors: Cheryl L. Meyer, Taronish Irani, Katherine A. Hermes, Betty Yung
Hardback ISBN:9780128092897
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eBook ISBN:9780128095799
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 0 9 5 7 9 - 9
The rate of suicides is at its highest level in nearly 30 years. Suicide notes have long been thought to be valuable resources for understanding suicide motivation, but up to now… Read more
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The rate of suicides is at its highest level in nearly 30 years. Suicide notes have long been thought to be valuable resources for understanding suicide motivation, but up to now the small sample sizes available have made an in-depth analysis difficult. Explaining Suicide: Patterns, Motivations, and What Notes Reveal represents a large-scale analysis of suicide motivation across multiple ages during the same time period. This was made possible via a unique dataset of all suicide notes collected by the coroner’s office in southwestern Ohio 2000–2009.
Based on an analysis of this dataset, the book identifies top motivations for suicide, how these differ between note writers and non-note writers, and what this can tell us about better suicide prevention. The book reveals the extent to which suicide is motivated by interpersonal violence, substance abuse, physical pain, grief, feelings of failure, and mental illness. Additionally, it discusses other risk factors, what differentiates suicide attempters from suicide completers, and lastly what might serve as protective factors toward resilience.
Analyzes 1200+ suicide cases from one coroner’s office
Identifies the top motivations for suicide that are based on suicide notes
Discusses the extent to which suicides are impulsive vs. planned
Leads to a better understanding on how to prevent suicide
Emphasizes resilience factors over risk factors
Clinical practitioners, researchers in clinical psychology, and anyone who wants to understand suicides
Dedication
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. The History and Theories of Suicide
Abstract
The History of Suicide
Suicide From the Early Modern Period to the Post–Civil War Era
Suicide From the Post–Civil War Era to the Present
Theories of Suicide
Psychache Theory
Interpersonal Theory of Suicidal Behavior
Thwarted Disorientation Contexts
Cognitive Theories of Suicide
Hereditary and Biological Theories of Suicide
Studying Special Populations
Chapter 2. Findings
Abstract
Deciphering 1280 Cases
Suicide Notes
Overall Structure of the Notes
Content of the Notes
Very Frequently Occurring Content in the Notes
Frequently Occurring Content
Less Frequently Occurring Content
Future Studies
Motivations
Chapter 3. Suicide Motivated by Interpersonal Relationships
Abstract
Suicides Related to Intimate Partners
Conclusions
Chapter 4. Escape as a Motivation for Suicide
Abstract
Escaping From Multiple Issues
Escaping From Psychological Pain
Escaping From Physical Pain
Escaping From Legal and Financial Crises
Conclusions
Chapter 5. Grief and Failure
Abstract
Distinguishing Uncomplicated and Complicated Grief
Failure
Workplace Bullying: An Example of Complex Failure
Intervention
Other Categories That Were Not Well Supported
Conclusions
Chapter 6. The Complexity of Suicide Motivation
Abstract
Chaos in Life and Intent to Die
Interpersonal Relationships and Gender Dynamics
Attitudes Toward Death
Reasons for Living
Conclusions
Chapter 7. Severe Mental Illness
Abstract
Severe Persistent Mental Illness and Suicide
Conclusions
Chapter 8. The Intersection of Suicide and Legal Issues
Abstract
Criminal Involvement
Crimes Involving Substance Use, Abuse, or Addictions
Conclusions Related to Criminal Involvement and Suicide
Conclusions Related to Legal Involvement and Suicide
Chapter 9. Protective Factors and Resilience
Abstract
Factors That Lead to Longevity
Factors That Lead to Lives Cut Short
Death With Dignity
Living With Thoughts of Death
Protective Factors
Resilience
Conclusions
Chapter 10. Conclusions and Implications
Abstract
Resources Already Available
A National Agenda
The Relationship Between Risk Factors and Motivations
Societal Risk Factors: Opening the Dialogue Regarding Suicide and Mental Illness
The Means Matter
Health and First-Responder Systems Risk Factors
Localizing the National Agenda
Working at the Local Level to Help Families and Survivors
Conclusions and Recommendations
Postscript
Appendix A. Detailed Methodology
Appendix B. Coding Information
References
Index
No. of pages: 288
Language: English
Published: January 3, 2017
Imprint: Academic Press
Hardback ISBN: 9780128092897
eBook ISBN: 9780128095799
CM
Cheryl L. Meyer
Cheryl L. Meyer has blended together a unique combination of degrees including a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and a law degree. Her research has an interdisciplinary focus incorporating legal, educational, psychological and sociological perspectives. Dr. Meyer’s research interests focus on forensic psychology, specifically intrafamilial violence, and program evaluation. She has published several books, been quoted widely in newspapers or magazines, and has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, most notably, 60 Minutes. Dr. Meyer is a Professor at Wright State University School of Professional Psychology. From 2010-2015 she was awarded the title Board of Trustees University Professor for her outstanding contributions beyond the confines of her own discipline.
Affiliations and expertise
School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
TI
Taronish Irani
Taronish. H. Irani is a licensed clinical psychologist working at The Counseling Center at SUNY Buffalo State College. She is an early career psychologist who received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (2005) from University of Mumbai, India and a Psy.D. degree in Clinical Psychology (2012) from Wright State University, Ohio. She completed her APA Accredited internship from Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), School of Medicine, and her post-doctoral fellowship from the Center for Behavioral Medicine-Affiliate Hospital of University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine. Some of her clinical and research areas include trauma informed care, diversity issues, consultation, psychology education and training, violence and suicide prevention, forensic psychology, international psychology, higher education, program evaluation & program development, and severe and persistent mental illness.
Affiliations and expertise
The Counseling Center, SUNY Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY, USA
KH
Katherine A. Hermes
Katherine A. Hermes is chair of the History Department at Central Connecticut State University (2012-), where she has taught since 1997. She was co-coordinator of the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program at CCSU from 2006-2008. Formerly she was a lecturer in history at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, from 1992-1997. She received her law degree (J.D., 1992) from Duke University School of Law and her Ph.D. in History (1995) from Yale University. Her fields of specialty are Early American history, the Atlantic World, legal history and Native American history. She is currently working on a project studying concepts of harm in North American indigenous and colonial societies.
Affiliations and expertise
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, USA
BY
Betty Yung
Betty Yung led this project but passed away before she could see it come to fruition. Yung served as officer of grants, research, evaluation and accreditation for five years at Wright State University and in 1988 joined School of Professional Psychology as a grants and proposals writer. Yung’s areas of specialty included violence prevention and health disparities for minority populations. She was a grant reviewer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on family violence initiatives. Yung co-authored texts and videos on violence prevention for juveniles.
Affiliations and expertise
School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA