The Significance of Life Events as a Cause of Psychological and Physical Disorder

Background: Quantitative studies in several European countries showed that 10–20% of older people have or have had a wish to die. Aims: To improve our understanding of why some older people develop a wish to die. Methods: In-depth interviews with people with a wish to die (n = 31) were carried out. Through open coding and inductive analysis, we developed a conceptual framework to describe the development of death wishes. Respondents were selected from two cohort studies. Results: The wish to die had either been triggered suddenly after traumatic life events or had developed gradually after a life full of adversity, as a consequence of aging or illness, or after recurring depression. The respondents were in a situation they considered unacceptable, yet they felt they had no control to change their situation and thus progressively “gave up” trying. Recurring themes included being widowed, feeling lonely, being a victim, being dependent, and wanting to be useful. Developing thoughts about death as a positive thing or a release from problems seemed to them like a way to reclaim control. Conclusions: People who wish to die originally develop thoughts about death as a positive solution to life events or to an adverse situation, and eventually reach a balance of the wish to live and to die.

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Negative Life Events Associated With Deliberate Self-Harm in an African Population in Uganda

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.26.1.4 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 4-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

E. Kinyanda ◽

H. Hjelmeland ◽

S. Musisi

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Negative Life Events ◽

Life Time ◽

Later Life ◽

Dose Effect ◽

Deliberate Self Harm ◽

Time Period ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Self Harm ◽

Suicide Interventions

Abstract. Negative life events associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) were investigated in an African context in Uganda. Patients admitted at three general hospitals in Kampala, Uganda were interviewed using a Luganda version (predominant language in the study area) of the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I. The results of the life events and histories module are reported in this paper. The categories of negative life events in childhood that were significantly associated with DSH included those related to parents, significant others, personal events, and the total negative life events load in childhood. For the later-life time period, the negative life events load in the partner category and the total negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. In the last-year time period, the negative life events load related to personal events and the total number of negative life events in this time period were associated with DSH. A statistically significant difference between the cases and controls for the total number of negative life events reported over the entire lifetime of the respondents was also observed, which suggests a dose effect of negative life events on DSH. Gender differences were also observed among the cases. In conclusion, life events appear to be an important factor in DSH in this cultural environment. The implication of these results for treatment and the future development of suicide interventions in this country are discussed.

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External Validity of SCORS-G Ratings of Thematic Apperception Test Narratives in a Sample of Outpatients and Inpatients

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000057 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 58-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michelle B. Stein ◽

Jenelle Slavin-Mulford ◽

Caleb J. Siefert ◽

Samuel Justin Sinclair ◽

Michaela Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Psychiatric Hospitalization ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Thematic Apperception Test ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Conduct Disordered ◽

Global Ratings ◽

Thematic Apperception ◽

History Of

Abstract. The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale-Global Ratings Method (SCORS-G; Stein, Hilsenroth, Slavin-Mulford, & Pinsker-Aspen, 2011 ) is a reliable system for coding narrative data, such as Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) stories. This study employs a cross-sectional, correlational design to examine associations between SCORS-G dimensions and life events in two clinical samples. Samples were composed of 177 outpatients and 57 inpatients who completed TAT protocols as part of routine clinical care. Two experienced raters coded narratives with the SCORS-G. Data on the following clinically relevant life events were collected: history of psychiatric hospitalization, suicidality, self-harming behavior, drug/alcohol abuse, conduct-disordered behavior, trauma, and education level. As expected, the clinical life event variable associated with the largest number of SCORS-G dimensions was Suicidality. Identity and Coherence of Self was related to self-harm history across samples. Emotional Investment in Relationships and Complexity of Representations were also associated with several life events. Clinical applications, limitations of the study, and future directions are reviewed.

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