Psych Central News
New Method to Measure Suicide Motivations
Researchers from the University of British Columbia investigated why people attempt suicide. The findings were used to develop the first scientifically tested measure for evaluating the motivations for suicide.
Published in the official journal of the American Association of Suicidology, the work gives doctors and researchers important new resources.
“Knowing why someone attempted suicide is crucial — it tells us how to best help them recover,” says Prof. David Klonsky, UBC Department of Psychology.
“This new tool will help us to move beyond the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to suicide prevention, which is essential. Different motivations require different treatments and interventions.”
The study, based on 120 participants who recently attempted suicide, suggests many motivations believed to play important roles in suicide are relatively uncommon.
For example, suicide attempts were rarely the result of impulsivity, a cry for help, or an effort to solve a financial or practical problem.
Of all motivations for suicide the two found to be universal in all participants were hopelessness and overwhelming emotional pain.
Researchers also discovered that suicide attempts influenced by social factors — such as efforts to elicit help or influence others – generally exhibited a less pronounced intent to die, and were carried out with a greater chance of rescue.
In contrast, suicide attempts motivated by internal factors — such as hopelessness and unbearable pain — were performed with the greatest desire to die.
“It may be surprising to some, but focusing on motivations is a new approach in the field of suicide research — and urgently needed,” says Klonsky.
“Until now, the focus has been largely on the types of people attempting suicide — their demographics, their genetics — without actually exploring the motivations. Ours is the first work to do this in a systematic way.”
Source: University of British Columbia
World of Psychology
Best of Our Blogs: June 14, 2013
I don’t know what you’re going through now. Maybe you’re disheartened from work, a new diagnosis, or a challenge in your relationship. We all encounter problems every once in awhile. Although we may try to hide behind it, life inevitably sends us tumultuous waves to throw us off-balance. From afar, they may appear to be dangerous, overwhelming and intimidating. But up close, they may be consistent, yet manageable. The key is to learn to ride them with as much flexibility and openness as possible.
When difficulty hits, we automatically tense up. Fearing rejection, disappointment and pain, we resist what is to protect ourselves. However, fear and panic causes more suffering than whatever it is we’re going through. In almost any situation, letting go and being vulnerable can actually ease us into life and make what seems intolerable, tolerable.
Recently, someone told me a story of how she encountered a huge wave in the ocean. She could tell it was going to be a big one that could potentially throw her into the reef. Instead of tensing up in anticipation of the crash, she went with it and laughed the whole way. She said she survived the episode unscathed because her body was flexible and open, not rigid and tense. Hope our top posts this week will help you develop your own sense of openness to meet any challenge you’re currently facing.
{Flickr photo by Scott Robinson}
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