Empirical Support for an Evolutionary Model of Self‐Destructive Motivation

We tested predictions generated from an evolutionary account of self‐destructive motivation in two survey studies of 18–24‐year‐old university students. As hypothesized, hierarchical regressions showed that the positive relationship between perceived burden to family and suicide ideation was amplified for participants with low measured health and romantic relationship satisfaction, and for participants with relatively young mothers. The moderating effect of maternal age was also observed in logistic regressions of suicide attempts. These effects occurred independently of depression, hopelessness, and other relevant extraneous variables. Results have implications for understanding self‐destructive motivation, assessing suicide risk, and preventing suicidal thinking and behavior.     

What's in it for Me? Motivational Differences between Farmers' Subsidised and Non‐Subsidised Conservation Practices

Through nature conservation practices, farmers can strongly enhance nature quality and biodiversity in rural areas. In this paper, the social psychological underpinnings of farmers' nature conservation practices are investigated using the Theory of Planned Behavior, to which the concepts of self‐identity and personal norms were added. A distinction is made between nature conservation practices done on a non‐subsidised basis and nature conservation practices for which farmers receive some form of remuneration from the Dutch government. Eighty‐five arable farmers participated in our survey. Results show that our model explains more variance in the intention to perform non‐subsidised than subsidised nature conservation practices. Also, the concepts of self‐identity and personal norms appear to be related to the intention to perform non‐subsidised, not subsidised conservation.     

Seasonality of Violent Suicides in the Athens Greater Area

The aim of the study was to ascertain suicide seasonality in the Greek population and to associate this seasonal variation with age, sex, and suicide method. Studying seasonality can be of help in establishing a public health policy, related with suicide prevention. This is an epidemiologic study based on forensic evidence. We studied the deaths caused by self‐injury (trauma), namely deaths by violent suicide (not self‐poisoning). Statistically significant suicide seasonality was established with a peak in May. This seasonal variation is attributed mainly to males. As for the method, suicide by hanging peaks in June and by shooting in April. It was also observed that seasonality for individuals above the age of 45 peaks in early May.     

A Paradigm for the Telephonic Assessment of Suicidal Ideation

A three‐stage paradigm for telephonically assessing suicidal risk and triaging suicidal callers as practiced in an Employee Assistance Program Call Center was investigated. The first hypothesis was that the use of the procedure would increase the probability that callers would accept the clinician's recommendations, evidenced by fewer police interventions. The second hypothesis was that there would be an increase in confirmed appointments with providers. Samples involved three separate 6‐month periods. Results indicate the effectiveness of the paradigm with both hypotheses supported. Follow‐up data for the year after completion of this study yielded similar results.     

Comparing Cognitive Behavior Therapy,Problem Solving Therapy,and Treatment as Usual in a High Risk Population

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), problem‐solving therapy (PST), or treatment as usual (TAU) were compared in the management of suicide attempters. Participants completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale, Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation, Social Problem‐Solving Inventory, and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire at pre‐ and posttreatment. Both CBT and PST indicated significant improvements over time within the majority of measured variables; when compared to TAU, both groups showed significant differences on satisfaction. When PST was compared to TAU, results indicated significant differences on suicidal ideation, indicating overall efficacy of brief therapies with suicide attempters.     

Repressive Coping,Emotional Adjustment,and Cognition in People Who Have Lost Loved Ones to Suicide

Research indicates that a repressive coping style is psychologically protective against the stress of trauma, yet it is unclear whether this finding generalizes to suicide bereavement. Thus, we assessed cognitive ability and mental health among individuals who lost a loved one to suicide. The results indicate that repressive coping may be associated with greater emotional health during suicide bereavement. Interestingly, “repressors” also had lower scores on both cognitive tasks compared to “nonrepressors,” but it is unclear whether their more recent loss accounts for this difference. These results are based on cross‐sectional data, and should be interpreted with caution.     

Risk Factors for Suicidality Among a Nationally Representative Sample of High School Students

Using the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance data (n = 13,917) of high school students, we examined the association between four domains of risk factors (alcohol/drug use, aggression, HIV risk‐related behaviors, and health problems) and indicators of suicidality (considering a suicide attempt, making a plan to attempt suicide, and actually attempting suicide). Logistic regressions showed that drug use (e.g., recent smoking, drinking before 13), victimization (e.g., threatened at school, hit by girl/boyfriend), risky sexual behavior (e.g., forced to have sex, used a condom) and two health problems (health as fair/poor, has disability/health problem) were associated with all three indicators of suicidality. These findings suggest that programs to prevent alcohol/drug use, address aggression, promote safety, and prevent unsafe sexual practices may also prevent suicidality.