Acquired Capability for Suicide,Pain Tolerance,and Fearlessness of Pain—Validation of the Pain Tolerance Scale of the German Capability for Suicide Questionnaire

The interpersonal theory of suicide (Joiner, 2005) postulates that for a serious suicide attempt, one has to possess the acquired capability to commit suicide. Acquired capability includes higher pain tolerance, which is further assumed to comprise both an elevated physical pain tolerance and fearlessness of pain. Recently, the German Capability for Suicide Questionnaire (GCSQ) was validated. The aim of this study is further validation of the GCSQ's Pain Tolerance scale by investigating the scale's association with objective pain tolerance and fearlessness of pain in two undergraduate samples (N = 81; N = 76). Both associations were found indicating a strong criterion validity of the Pain Tolerance scale.     

Elevated Suicide Levels Associated with Legalized Gambling

There has been no systematic, large-scale statistical investigation of the link between gambling and suicide, despite the suggestion of such a link from small-scale case studies. This article examines whether gamblers or those associated with them are prone to suicide and whether gaming communities experience atypically high suicide rates. Las Vegas, the premier U.S. gambling setting, displays the highest levels of suicide in the nation, both for residents of Las Vegas and for visitors to that setting. In general, visitors to and residents of major gaming communities experience significantly elevated suicide levels. In Atlantic City, abnormally high suicide levels for visitors and residents appeared only after gambling casinos were opened. The findings do not seem to result merely because gaming settings attract suicidal individuals.     

Adequacy of Official Suicide Statistics for Scientific Research and Public Policy

Many researchers have claimed that the study of suicide and the formation of public policy are not undermined by the misclassification of suicide as other causes of death. We evaluated this claim using a new technique and causes of death not previously considered. We examined computerized California death certificates, 1966-1990. Mortality peaks at symbolic ages are a characteristic feature of suicide. We sought such peaks in (1) causes of death commonly suspected of containing misclassified suicides (e.g., accidental barbiturate poisoning), (2) causes of death not hitherto suspected (e.g., pedestrian deaths), and (3) control groups. The first two categories displayed peaks at symbolic ages, but control groups did not. The size of the peak, indicative of misclassified suicides, varied markedly by race (p < .0001) and sex (p < .0001). Misclassification is evident for all time periods examined, large and small counties, and each race and sex. The maximum misclassification occurs for Blacks (14.92% of officially recorded suicides). We conclude that suicides are misallocated to at least five other causes of death (two of which have not been previously considered in the literature) and are most likely to be underreported for groups with low official suicide rates, that is, Blacks and females. Consequently, Blacks and females are not as protected from suicide as was previously supposed. It may be inadvisable to use official suicide data to test scientific hypotheses about suicide, unless the effects of underreporting are estimated and, if necessary, corrected for.     

Effects of sad mood on time-based prospective memory

Very little is known about the influence of emotional factors on prospective memory (PM) performance. We used a mood induction (neutral or sad) to examine the effects of sad mood on time-based PM performance. Based on Ellis and Ashbrook's (1988) resource allocation model, we hypothesised an adverse effect of sad mood on PM performance. Results revealed that participants who responded to the sad mood induction procedure showed reduced PM performance that mainly resulted from a decreased timeliness of PM responses, but only in the first half of the task. Mood effects on PM could be explained in terms of reduced and less accurate monitoring. Implications for concepts of PM and the assessment of emotional after-effects are discussed.