Motivations for Self‐Injury,Affect, and Impulsivity: A Comparison of Individuals with Current Self‐Injury to Individuals with a History of Self‐Injury

Individuals who report nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) are characterized by the tendency to act rashly while experiencing distress (negative urgency), the tendency to act without thinking, and endorsement of both social and affect regulation motives for the behavior. However, very little research has identified characteristics that distinguish current self‐injurers from those with a history of the behavior. The purpose of this study was to compare individuals with current self‐injury to a history of self‐injury on impulsivity‐related personality traits, motives for self‐injury, and distress. Among a sample of 429 undergraduates, 120 reported self‐injury. Among these 120 individuals, 33 endorsed self‐injury within the past month, with a mean frequency of 4.77 acts of NSSI. Within the self‐injury group, current self‐injurers reported higher endorsement of affect regulation motives for NSSI, and higher levels of current negative affect than individuals with a history of self‐injury. There were no differences between current and former self‐injurers on measures of impulsivity, endorsement of social motives for NSSI, or positive affect. We propose that individuals who use NSSI to regulate negative affect may be more likely to repeatedly engage in this behavior over time.     

Suicidal Ideation and Sexual Orientation in College Students: The Roles of Perceived Burdensomeness,Thwarted Belongingness,and Perceived Rejection Due to Sexual Orientation

A theoretical model in which perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness were hypothesized to account for the association between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation among college students was tested. Among 198 college students (mean age 21.28 years), gay, lesbian, and bisexual students (n = 50) reported significantly higher levels of perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation than heterosexual students. The relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation was partially accounted for by perceived burdensomeness, but not thwarted belongingness. This indirect effect was stronger at higher levels of perceived or anticipated rejection due to one’s sexual orientation. Implications for intervention and prevention science are discussed.     

Correlates of Serious Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Female Adult Sexual Assault Survivors

Relations between (a) serious suicidal ideation and attempts and (b) demographics, trauma history, assault characteristics, post‐assault outcomes, and psy‐chosocial variables were examined among female adult sexual assault survivors. Younger, minority, and bisexual survivors reported greater ideation. More traumas, drug use, and assault disclosure related to greater attempts, whereas perceived control over recovery was related to fewer attempts. Child sexual abuse and some assault characteristics predicted suicidal behavior. Depression was related to suicidal behavior until psychosocial variables were accounted for. Specifically, using substances to cope and self‐blame predicted greater ideation, whereas receiving aid/information support was related to less ideation. Implications for research and treatment are discussed.     

Drug Ingestions in Children 10–14 Years Old: An Old Problem Revisited

To determine changes in rates of drug ingestions in 10–14 year old children in our country, a retrospective chart review of 10–14 year olds hospitalized for drug ingestion between 1993–1995 and 2000–2004 was performed. Odds ratios and Chi‐square were used for analyses. From 1993–1995 there were 92.8 ingestions/100,000 children/year; from 2000–2004 there were 63.3 ingestions/100,000 children/year. More males ingested in 2000–2004 than 1993–1995 (26.3% vs. 14.2% O.R. 2.15 [1.19, 3.92]). More patients took psychiatric medications in 2000–2004 than 1993–1995 (38.9% vs. 27.0%, O.R. 1.72 [1.06, 2.80]). More patients ingested SSRIs in 2000–2004 than 1993–1995; fewer ingested tricyclics. Hospitalization rates for drug ingestions have decreased. There has been a change in drug ingested, and more males are ingesting drugs.     

What Does Psychological Autopsy Study Tell Us About Charcoal Burning Suicide—A New and Contagious Method in Asia?

Charcoal burning suicides in Hong Kong between 2002–2004 in the 15 to 59‐year‐old age group were investigated using the psychological autopsy method. The psychopathological profiles of charcoal burning suicides (N = 53) were compared against “other suicides” (N = 97). The two groups did not differ significantly in the prevalence of DSM‐IV axis I diagnoses with the exception of schizophrenic spectrum disorder which was less frequently associated with charcoal burning suicides. Score on “neuroticism” in the NEO‐five Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI) was significantly higher in victims of charcoal burning suicide. There was also a trend toward higher score on “conscientiousness” in the NEO‐FFI among charcoal burners than victims of other suicide.     

原发性醛固酮增多症的临床实践与分析

探讨原发性醛固酮增多症(原醛)临床特点及诊治方面的经验,以早期诊断、根治,改善预后。对确诊的原醛53例临床资料(临床特征、实验室检查、影像学检查、病理类型、治疗情况)进行回顾性研究。男女比为1：1.65,30～49岁年龄段最多。50.9%高血压首发,15.1%低钾血症首发,并发高心痛9.4%,尿毒症1.9%,脑卒中13.2%。肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮(RAA)系统激素检查,血浆醛固酮/血浆肾素活性比值(ARR)＞200者80.7%,ARR＞400者占半数,血浆醛固酮(PAC)＞140pg/ml者占84.6%。CT及MRI阳性率高。术后病理肾上腺皮质腺瘤占85%,结节性增生占15%(其中原发性肾上腺增生占12.5%)。手术后血压及血钾均较前改善,非手术者口服安体舒通有效。原醛是可治性内分泌性高血压之一,建议高血压和/或低血钾者应常规检查RAA系统激素,并争取行影像学检查,以使原醛得到早期诊治,改善预后。     

Identification,Response, and Referral of Suicidal Youth Following Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Gatekeeper training is a public health approach to suicide prevention that encourages community members to identify those at risk for suicide, respond appropriately, and refer for clinical services. Despite widespread use, few studies have examined whether training results in behavior change in participants. This study employed a naturalistic pre–post design to follow 434 participants in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, finding small but significant increases in self‐reported identification of at‐risk youth, some helpful responses to youth, and numbers of youth referred to treatment from pre‐test to 6‐ to 9‐month follow‐up. Changes in active listening and helping behaviors meant to support treatment referrals (such as convincing a youth to seek treatment) were not observed over time. Additional analyses explored predictors of self‐reported skill utilization including identification as a “natural helper” and attitudes about suicide prevention.     

Sexual Self‐Concept Ambiguity and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide Risk

Mechanisms (i.e., thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, hopelessness) derived from the interpersonal theory of suicide which are hypothesized to account for the relation between sexual orientation self‐concept ambiguity and active suicide ideation were examined. Participants included 349 women, among whom 42% currently self‐ascribed a non‐exclusively heterosexual sexual identity. Among women reporting higher levels of sexual self‐concept ambiguity, greater risk for active suicide ideation is found when perceptions of burden and feelings of thwarted belonging co‐occur with feelings of hopelessness. Results support relevant theory useful for understanding suicide risk among sexual minority women who acknowledge ambiguity with regard to their sexual orientation.     

College Students' Responses to Suicidal Content on Social Networking Sites: An Examination Using a Simulated Facebook Newsfeed

Although Facebook has a peer‐initiated suicide prevention protocol, little is known about users' abilities to notice, recognize, and appropriately interpret suicidal content or about their willingness to intervene. In this study, 468 college students were randomly assigned to interact with a simulated Facebook newsfeed containing content reflecting various suicide risk levels. A larger proportion of those exposed to content reflecting moderate and severe suicide risk noticed, recognized, appropriately interpreted, and endorsed taking action to intervene, as compared to those exposed to content representing no or low risk. Overall, results indicate that college students are responsive to suicidal content on Facebook.