Suicide and Perfectionism: A Psychological Autopsy Study of Non-Clinical Suicides

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parvin Kiamanesh ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
Hanne Haavind ◽  
Gudrun Dieserud
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Fear Of Failure ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
History Of

This study explores suicide in relation to perfectionism among individuals who died by suicide with no history of treatment in mental health care or of suicide attempts. The study is part of an ongoing psychological autopsy study (PA-study). It aimed to produce a phenomenological understanding of the dynamics/processes from perfectionism to suicide among 6 men aged 22 to 58. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the interview data of 41 key informants. Based on the informants' narratives, it seemed that perfectionism left these men less able to cope with their (self-perceived) inability to meet their high expectations. Four themes emerged from analysis: 1) striving for success; 2) fear of failure; 3) keeping up the facade; and 4) rigidity. The results may be important in the prevention of nonclinical suicides, a group that is particularly difficult to identify, especially if the deceased have been regarded as very successful in many areas.

Maladaptive Perfectionism

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parvin Kiamanesh ◽  
Gudrun Dieserud ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
Hanne Haavind
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Maladaptive Perfectionism ◽  
History Of ◽  
Suicide Prevention Programs

This study aimed to explore how the life history of suicide victims with no history of treatment in mental health care or of attempted suicide seemed to presdispose them to maladaptive perfectionism. The study is part of an ongoing psychological autopsy study. It aimed to produce a phenomenological understanding of the vulnerability to suicide related to perfectionism, based on the life history of six male suicide victims aged 22 to 58. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze the interview data of 41 key informants. Three main themes emerged: (a) exposure to high expectations combined with little recognition and warmth; (b) reduced ability to cope with failures and weaknesses; and (c) fear of emotional rejection. Together these themes illustrate that feelings of shame, mainly resulting from an unfulfilled need for attachment, a desire for love and recognition may relate to maladaptive perfectionism, which influences the suicidal process. The results may have important implications for suicide prevention programs.

Suicide attempts preceding completed suicide

1998 ◽  
Vol 173 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erkki T. Isometsä ◽  
Jouko K. Lönnqvist
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
History Of

BackgroundThis study investigated three questions with major implications for suicide prevention: the sensitivity of the history of previous suicide attempt(s) as an indicator of suicide risk, the time interval from a preceding suicide attempt to the fatal one, and switching of suicide methods by those eventually completing suicide.MethodThe lifetime history of suicide attempts and the methods the victims (n=1397) used were examined in a nationwide psychological autopsy study comprising all suicides in Finland within a 12-month research period in 1987–1988.ResultsOverall, 56% of suicide victims were found to have died at their first suicide attempt, more males (62%) than females (38%). In 19% of males and 39% of females the victim had made a non-fatal attempt during the final year. Of the victims with previous attempts, 82% had used at least two different methods in their suicide attempts (the fatal included).ConclusionsMost male and a substantial proportion of female suicides die in their first suicide attempt, a fact that necessitates early recognition of suicide risk, particularly among males. Recognition of periods of high suicide risk on the grounds of recent non-fatal suicide attempts is likely to be important for suicide prevention among females. Subjects completing suicide commonly switch from one suicide method to another, a finding that weakens but does not negate the credibility of restrictions on the availability of lethal methods as a preventive measure.

scholarly journals 109 Near-fatal suicide attempts among Canadian Youth: A CPSP Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e45-e45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Mitchell ◽  
Cornelius Ani ◽  
James Irvine ◽  
Claude Cyr ◽  
Ari Joffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Harm

Abstract Background Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian adolescents. Youth who make near fatal suicide attempts, such as those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) level care, are the closest proxy to those that die by suicide; however, there is limited data on this group. Objectives To evaluate the minimum incidence rate and patterns of presentation of youth (under 18 years of age) admitted to the ICU for medically serious self-inflicted injury. Design/Methods From January 2017 to December 2018, over 2,700 paediatricians/subspecialist members of the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program were electronically surveyed on a monthly basis regarding cases of medically serious self-harm. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire about the reported case and descriptive statistics were used for analyses. Results Ninety-four cases (71 female; mean age 15.2 years) of confirmed (n=87) and suspected/probable (n=7) medically serious self-harm were reported. The majority (87%) of cases were reported from 4 out of 13 provinces and territories in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec). There were 11 deaths by suicide (M>F; p<.05). Medication ingestion was the most common method of self-harm among females (76% F vs. 52% M; p=.03) compared with hanging among males (14% F vs. 39% M; p=.009). More females than males had a prior suicide attempt (62% F vs. 32% M; p=.07) and a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) (65% F vs. 14% M; p<.05), although only history of NSSI reached significance. More females than males had a past psychiatric diagnosis (77% F vs. 55% M; p=.05), and past use of mental health services (69% F vs. 30% M; p<.001), although only service use reached significance. Half of the youth left evidence of intent (54%) and 33% of parents of included youth were aware that their child was considering suicide. Family conflict was the most common precipitating factor for suicide attempt in both females and males (46%). Conclusion These Canadian findings are consistent with international epidemiologic data that observe a gender paradox of higher rates of suicide attempts in females and greater mental health care engagement but increased suicide mortality in males with decreased involvement with mental health care. This study suggests that family conflict is a potential target for suicide prevention interventions among youth. Future research focusing on gender-specificity in risk factor identification and effectiveness of primary prevention interventions among youth is warranted.

Antecedents of suicide in people with schizophrenia

1998 ◽  
Vol 173 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannele Heilä ◽  
Erkki T. Isometsä ◽  
Markus M. Henriksson ◽  
Marti E. Heikkinen ◽  
Mauri J. Marttunen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Next Of Kin ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
Treatment Relationship ◽  
Prevention Project ◽  
History Of ◽  
Illness Phase ◽  
Previous Suicide Attempt

BackgroundSuicides among people with schizophrenia are commonly believed to be impulsive and to occur unexpectedly.MethodAs part of the National Suicide Prevention Project in Finland, a nationwide psychological autopsy study, suicide victims with DSM-III-R schizophrenia (n=86; n=64 in the active illness phase) and others (n=1 109; n=666 without any evidence for psychosis) were compared for communication of suicidal intent (CSI), as well as previous suicide attempts known by the next of kin and/or an attending health care professional during the latest treatment relationship.ResultsMore victims with schizophrenia (84%) had a history of previous CSI, and/or had made previous suicide attempt(s) than others (70%). Also, victims with active illness schizophrenia (56%) had more CSI and/or had made suicide attempts during their last three months than victims with no psychosis (41%).ConclusionsCSI and/or suicide attempts occur at least as often in people with schizophrenia as in those without schizophrenia, even in the active phase of the illness.

scholarly journals The Role of Self-Esteem in Suicides Among Young Men

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Lyberg Rasmussen ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
Hanne Haavind ◽  
Antoon A. Leenaars ◽  
Gudrun Dieserud
Keyword(s):  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Life Challenges ◽  
History Of

This study explores self-esteem in suicide among young males with no earlier history of suicide attempt(s) or treatment in mental health services. The data come from an ongoing psychological autopsy study; 10 cases of young men aged 18 to 30, were selected to generate a phenomenologically based understanding of the psychological mechanisms and processes involved in the suicidal process. The analyses are based on in-depth interviews with 61 closely connected individuals, as well as suicide notes. We used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. For these young men, the transition to young adulthood, a period of major life challenges, seemed to be associated with personal defeats. According to their significant others, the deceased seemed to have experienced intolerable discrepancies between their actual performances and their ideal self standards. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (a) striving to find a viable path to life as an adult man; (b) experiencing a sense of failure according to own standards; (c) emotional self-restriction in relationships; and (d) strong feelings of loneliness and rejection of self. Improved understanding of suicides outside the mental illness paradigm may have important implications for preventive strategies.

Suicide Attempts by Poisoning in Hanoi, Vietnam: Methods Used, Mental Problems, and History of Mental Health Care

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Tuan ◽  
Christina Dalman ◽  
Nguyen Viet Thiem ◽  
Tran Viet Nghi ◽  
Peter Allebeck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
History Of

Qualitative Psychological Autopsy Interviews on Suicide in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda: The Participants' Perceptions

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Kizza ◽  
Heidi Hjelmeland ◽  
Eugene Kinyanda ◽  
Birthe Loa Knizek
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Helping Others

Participants' perceptions of psychological autopsy interviews were investigated in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Data were derived out of their responses in the debriefing session after the formal interviews. These responses were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The majority of the participants were positive about the interview as reflected in the two broad themes: positivation of the situation through the possibility of helping others and opportunity for personal development through sharing. To some few participants the interview aroused guilt, self-reproach, and anger and reactivated painful memories. As regards suicide postvention, the findings implied that not much has been done to help the bereaved by suicide in this region, and few resources for such efforts are currently available. However, the bereaved are ready to contribute toward the fight against suicide in their communities. Hence, it is argued that a community-based mental health and Primary Health Care approaches should be encouraged in this context.

Roles of Psychological Distress and Social Support in the Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Perceived Needs for Mental Health Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110063
Author(s):  
Tingting Gao ◽  
Songli Mei ◽  
Muzi Li ◽  
Carl D’ Arcy ◽  
Xiangfei Meng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Childhood maltreatment is a major public health issue worldwide. It increases a range of health-risk behaviors, psychological and physical problems, which are associated with an increased need for mental health services in adulthood. Identification of mediating factors in the relationship between maltreatment and seeking mental health care may help attenuate the negative consequences of childhood maltreatment and promote more appropriate treatment. This study aims to examine whether the relationship between childhood maltreatment and perceived need for mental health care is mediated by psychological distress and/or moderated by social support. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health 2012 are analyzed. A total of 8,993 participants, who had complete information on childhood maltreatment and diagnoses of mental disorders or psychological distress, are included in this study. Structural equation modeling and the PROCESS macro were used to identify relationships among childhood maltreatment, perceived needs for mental health care, and psychological distress. Hierarchical linear regression was then used to verify the moderated mediation model. We found that psychological distress partially mediated the effect of childhood maltreatment on perceived needs for mental health care in adulthood. Social support played an important role in terms of moderating the relationship between maltreatment and perceived needs for care. For those with a history of childhood maltreatment, those who perceived a low level of social support were more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress and perceived need for mental health care. This is the first study to identify the separate and combined roles of psychological distress and social support in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and perceived need for mental health care. Selective prevention strategies should focus on social support to improve mental health services among people with a history of childhood maltreatment.

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