The role of drugs and alcohol in urban minority adolescent suicide attempts

This study examined psychopathology and substance use in 15 African American adolescents who attempted suicide and 15 African American adolescents who did not attempt suicide (control group). Both groups of adolescents and their parents completed questionnaires that addressed depression, behavior problems, family functioning, and drug and alcohol use. On the basis of group means of the Children's Depression Inventory (Kovacs & Beck, 1977), the Youth Self-Report (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1987), and the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1983), the suicidal youth were found to have a significant level of depression in addition to a variety of internalizing and externalizing behavior disorders. Similarly, on the Multigating Substance Use Evaluation System (Jurkovic & Bruce, 1991), the suicidal youth were at a high risk for alcohol and drug abuse. The suicidal group reported more alcohol and drug abuse than the control group. The results indicated that suicidal African American adolescents used significant amounts of drugs and alcohol, which may be associated with suicide attempts.     

The Association of Family and Peer Factors with Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use Among Chilean adolescents in Neighborhood Context

Research on adolescent use of substances has long sought to understand the family factors that may be associated with use of different substances such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. However, scant attention has been focused on these questions in Latin American contexts, despite growing concerns about substance use among Latin American youth. Using data from a sample of 866 Chilean youth, we examined the relationship of family and neighborhood factors with youth substance abuse. We found that in a Latin American context access to substances is an important predictor of use, but that neighborhood effects differ for marijuana use as opposed to cigarettes or alcohol. Age of youth, family and peer relationships, and gender all play significant roles of substance use.The study findings provide additional evidence that the use of substances is complex whereby individual, family, and community influences must be considered jointly to prevent or reduce substance use among adolescents.     

Sexual Health Risks and Protective Resources in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Homeless Youth

ISSUES AND PURPOSE: To compare sexual health risks and protective resources of homeless adolescents self-identified as gay (G), lesbian (L), or bisexual (B), with those self-identified as heterosexual, and to determine the differences between these two groups and the differences within the GLB group. DESIGN AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of survey data collected from a nonprobability sample of 425 homeless adolescents between 16 and 20 years of age. RESULTS: Sexual health risks and protective resources differed between those self-identified as GLB and those self-identified as heterosexual. More G/L youth reported a history of sexual abuse and being tested and treated for HIV, and more scored lower on the assertive communication measure than did bisexual or heterosexual youth. Moreover, there were gender differences within the GLB group; more males than females self-identified as homosexual and more females than males self-identified as bisexual. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Sexual health interventions for this population should be both gender- and sexual orientation-specific.     

Suicide risk and protective factors among youth experiencing school difficulties

Youth who experience difficulty in school are at risk for suicide, yet there is little published information specific to risk and protective factors among this group. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth examination of risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviour among youth who were experiencing problems in school and to compare these factors between suicide risk and non-suicide risk subgroups. Participants were 730 high school students in the Northwest and Southwest regions of the United States, aged 14-21 years. All participants were known to be experiencing difficulty with grades and/or attendance. Students completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire and a one-on-one interview, which assessed suicidal behaviours as well as risk factors (e.g. drug involvement, emotional distress, stress), and protective factors (e.g. self-esteem, coping, support). Analysis of covariance tests, controlling for age and sex, were conducted to examine differences between the suicide risk and non-suicide risk groups on each risk and protective factor. The suicide risk subgroup reported higher levels of all risk factors, except alcohol and marijuana use, and lower levels of protective factors. While the groups did not differ on frequency of alcohol or marijuana use, they did differ on other illicit drug use and consequences of alcohol and other illicit drug use. Recommendations for nurses practising in school settings are discussed.     

Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms in Gunshot-Injured Youth

PROBLEM: The prevalence of acute stress disorder symptoms (ASDS) and other psychiatric comorbidities in youth with recent gunshot injuries. METHODS: Children (n=20) admitted to an urban hospital ER for gunshot injuries over a 4-year period were evaluated for ASDS, co-morbid DSM-III-R diagnoses, legal and gang involvement, and psychiatric history; medically hospitalized children (n=36) similar in age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status served as a control group. FINDINGS: Gunshot-injured youth reported a 75% rate of ASDS compared to a 14% rate in medically ill youth (OR 18.6; chi2 = p < .0001). Parent ratings of ASDS closely corresponded with youth ratings. Youth rated reexperiencing the event as the most frequent distressing symptom. Gunshot injury was associated with legal problems, gang involvement, marijuana/alcohol dependence, conduct disorder, social phobia, and agoraphobia compared to youth with medical illness. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to youth with medical illness, gunshot-injured youth were 18.6 times (p = .0001) more likely to show symptoms of ASDS. Further research, developmentally appropriate assessment, prevention, and treatment are needed in this area.     

Childhood abuse, adult alcohol use disorders and suicidal behaviour

Childhood abuse is linked to a variety of maladaptive outcomes that can extend far into adulthood. Two of the most significant are alcohol use disorders and suicidal ideation/behaviour. This article explores the pathway from childhood abuse to suicidal behaviour through the development of alcohol use disorders, and examines the significance of a familial history of alcohol misuse in exacerbating suicidal behaviour in adults who were abused as children. It discusses the implications of this pathway, and describes areas of focus for those who work with child abuse victims and/or patients experiencing alcohol use disorders. Practitioners working with children or adolescents who have experienced or are experiencing abuse should take a preventative approach, identifying and treating those at risk for alcohol misuse and/or suicide. Practitioners working with adults who are already abusing alcohol and/or are suicidal should work with the adult to identify and examine life events such as abuse that may be responsible. By identifying factors that have led to the misuse of alcohol and/or suicidal ideation, adults can obtain appropriate psychotherapy and deal in a more productive and beneficial manner with the pain that underlies their self-destructive impulses.     

Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts in chronic pain patients: factors associated with increased risk

This study describes suicidal behavior in a cross-sectional sample of chronic pain patients and evaluates factors associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation. One hundred-fifty-three adults with nonmalignant pain (42% back pain) who were consecutively referred to a tertiary care pain center completed a Structured Clinical Interview for Suicide History, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Nineteen-percent reported current passive suicidal ideation (PSI), 13% had active thoughts of committing suicide (ASI), 5% had a current suicide plan, and 5% reported a previous suicide attempt. Drug overdose was the most commonly reported plan and method of attempt (75%). Thirteen-percent reported a family history of suicide attempt/completion. Pain-specific and traditional suicide risk factors were evaluated as predictors of current PSI and ASI. Logistic regression analyses revealed that a family history of suicide attempts/completions was associated with a 7.5 fold increase in risk of PSI (P=0.001) and a 6.6 fold increase in ASI (P=0.003), after adjusting for significant covariates. Having abdominal pain was associated with an adjusted 5.5 fold increase in PSI (P=0.05) and a 4.2 fold increase in ASI (P=0.10). Neuropathic pain significantly reduced risk for both PSI (P=0.002) and ASI (P=0.01). Demographics, pain severity, and depression severity were not associated with suicidal ideation in multivariate analyses. These findings highlight the need for routine evaluation and monitoring of suicidal behavior in chronic pain, especially for patients with family histories of suicide, those taking potentially lethal medications, and patients with abdominal pain.     

探究与大学生抑郁症自杀未遂行为相关的社会心理因素

目的:探究与大学生抑郁障碍患者自杀未遂行为相关的童年创伤、家庭功能及社会支持。方法:招募大学生抑郁障碍患者156例,根据既往是否存在自杀行为分为自杀未遂组(n=78)和非自杀未遂组(n=78)。采用儿童创伤问卷中文版(CTQ)、家庭功能量表(FAD)、社会支持量表(SSRS)对2组进行评估。结果:与非自杀未遂组相比,自杀未遂组的情感虐待(P0.001)、情感忽视(P=0.001)、性虐待(P=0.002)、躯体虐待(P0.001)、躯体忽视(P=0.001)因子评分及总分(P0.001)更高;角色(P=0.039)、情感介入(P=0.023)、家庭总功能(P=0.010)及总分(P=0.018)更高;主观支持(P=0.007)、支持利用率(P=0.005)因子评分及总分(P=0.011)更高。情感虐待、性虐待、支持利用率是导致自杀行为发生的独立危险和保护因素。结论:伴自杀未遂行为的大学生抑郁障碍患者存在更严重的童年创伤、更差的家庭功能以及更少的社会支持。     

Hopelessness as Mediator of the Link Between Reports of a History of Child Maltreatment and Suicidality in African American Women

Findings from a study comparing reports of a history of child maltreatment and hopelessness in a sample of economically, socially, and educationally disadvantaged young urban African American women suicide attempters (n = 176) and demographically similar nonattempters (n = 185) revealed higher rates of child maltreatment and hopelessness among attempters than those among their nonsuicidal counterparts. Using a mediational model involving both linear and logistic regressions, results indicated that hopelessness partially mediated the link between reports of certain forms of child maltreatment (i.e., physical/emotional abuse and emotional neglect) and suicide attempts, and hopelessness fully mediated the link between child sexual abuse and suicide attempts. Of equal importance, reports of a history of childhood maltreatment significantly predicted the presence of hopelessness in those women who later attempted suicide. These results emphasize the clinical importance of screening for hopelessness in women who report a history of childhood maltreatment and/or current or previous suicidal behavior, as well as the need to target negative views of the future in clinical interventions with African American women abused as children.     

Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention: A Randomized Pilot with Suicidal Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Homeless youth have extremely high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, but limited research has evaluated the efficacy of suicide prevention interventions. Suicidal homeless youth (N?=?150) between the ages of 18 to 24 years were recruited from a local drop-in center. Of interest was (1) whether the proposed sample of eligible youth could be identified, (2) whether youth could be engaged and retained in the prevention intervention, and (3) whether the intervention was associated with reduced suicidal ideation, our primary outcome measure. In particular, youth were randomly assigned to Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CTSP)?+?Treatment as Usual (TAU) (N?=?75) or TAU alone (N?=?75). Findings showed that the proposed sample of eligible youth could be identified and engaged in the study, and all youth showed a significant decline in suicidal ideation over time, with a faster decline among youth assigned to CTSP. These findings suggest that (1) at-risk suicidal youth can be identified and engaged outside of hospital emergency rooms, such as in drop-in centers, and (2) intervention added to TAU can strengthen reductions in suicidal ideation. Ultimately, attention towards reducing suicide risk among these youth has the potential to reduce premature mortality, hospitalization and loss of human capital.

     

Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Sexual and Nonsexual Violent Offenders

According to a literature review by Marshall (1996), presently available data have not clarified the proportion of sexual offenders who would meet diagnostic criteria for addictive problems. Our own literature review failed to find published studies comparing sexual offenders to nonsexual violent offenders on standardized measures of substance abuse. Our study is a preliminary investigation of the differences between sexual offenders (rapists: n = 72; child molesters: n = 34) and nonsexual violent offenders (n = 24) on measures of alcohol and drug abuse. The findings indicate that sexual offenders were more likely to abuse alcohol than were nonsexual violent offenders. Nonsexual offenders were significantly more likely to have had a history of other forms of substance abuse. The results are considered in terms of theories of alcohol's contribution to aggressive behavior and sexual aggression. Implications for assessment and treatment of sexual offenders are discussed.     

Attachment and Sexual Health Behaviors in Homeless Youth

PURPOSE: To explore relationships and group differences in attachment-related constructs (social connectedness and social support) and sexual health behaviors in a sample of homeless youth. DESIGN AND METHODS: An exploratory design, this study analyzed baseline data from an ongoing intervention study. Survey data were collected by audio, computer-assisted self-interview (A-CASI) from a nonprobability sample of homeless youth (n = 176). RESULTS: Social connectedness was positively correlated with period of time homeless, while social support was positively related to sexual self-concept and to self-efficacy and intention to use condoms. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The street group that homeless youth identify with may be a potential resource for peer-mentoring and skill-building regarding healthy sexual behavior.     

Characteristics of sex offenders who were sexually victimized as children

From a data bank of 479 sex offenders, a comparison was undertaken of those reporting any childhood sexual abuse versus those reporting none. A total of 201 men (42.0%) reported abuse, 261 (54.5%) did not and for 17 (3.5%), information was unavailable. The Abused and Nonabused Groups were compared on demographic information, the MMPI, Clarke Sex History Questionnaire and the Clarke Parent Child Relations Questionnaire. The Abused and Nonabused groups were similar in age, marital status, income, and criminal history, but the Abused Group had significantly less education. The Abused Group showed sexualization of their childhood, not only in the number of contacts with adults but also with age peers and siblings of both sexes. They tended to have wider ranging and more frequent sexual experiences as adults both with men and women. They more often raped. The Abused Group tended to show more emotional instability than the Nonabused Group in more frequent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, as well as in elevated Mania Scale Scores on the MMPI. The family background of the Abused Group was more disturbed than the Nonabused Group's; especially father-son relations. They reported more alcohol use and abuse in their parents and more parent-child aggression than nonabused offenders did. Although it is unlikely that child sexual abuse causes sexual anomalies, the results of the present study suggest that childhood sexual victimization in the lives of adult sex offenders merits further investigation and has implications for treatment.     

Relationships of Sexual Abuse, Connectedness, and Loneliness to Perceived Well-Being in Homeless Youth

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To describe respondents' perceptions of connectedness, loneliness, and well-being; and to explore relationships among these variables.
DESIGN AND METHOD. Survey data from 96 participants, focus group interviews with 32 participants, and 10 individual interviews were analyzed.
RESULTS. Sixty percent of the sample reported sexual abuse, which was significantly related to loneliness and inversely related to connectedness and perceived well-being. Subjects felt lonely and disconnected. They perceived their well-being in terms of current health status.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. High rates of sexual abuse, lack of connectedness, and loneliness may help to explain poor perceived well-being in homeless youth.     

某部新兵自杀未遂心理社会危险因素调查

目的 探讨新兵自杀未遂的心理社会危险因素.方法 采用多级整群抽样法随机抽取某部986名新兵,采用自编调查问卷、父母教养方式问卷、青少年生活事件量表和艾森克个性问卷进行调查.结果 2.1%曾有自杀未遂史,其中28.6%为反复自杀未遂.自杀未遂的原因以家庭矛盾居多.自杀方式以过量服药或服毒居多.自杀未遂的危险因素有生活事件、自杀行为家族史、父亲酗酒、家庭适应性、家庭经济困难、父亲过分干涉、受惩罚、父母离婚或再婚等.结论 自杀未遂在新兵中并不罕见,应认识其危险因素并积极进行干预.     

How Illegal Drug Use,Alcohol Use,Tobacco Use,and Depressive Symptoms Affect Adolescent Suicidal Ideation: A Secondary Analysis of the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The purpose of this study was to identify the major risk factors among adolescents who have either contemplated or attempted suicide. Along with successful suicides, suicide attempts and contemplation are coexisting factors that are prominent in the adolescent population and therefore warrant major concern. A secondary data analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was completed to explore the factors that may influence adolescents’ thoughts or actions about suicidal behavior. The YRBS represents high-school students throughout 50 states. Nine questions from the YRBS were used to elicit information about the relationships among the risk factors: (1) Suicidal thoughts and attempts; (2) illegal drug use; (3) alcohol use; (4) tobacco use; and (5) depressive symptoms. Statistically significant relationships among the risk factors were found for adolescents. Adolescents considered suicide (15.8%); attempted suicide at least once (7.8%); were injured while attempting suicide (n = 2.7%). Our findings support the idea that illegal substance use can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. Depression had a positive relationship with suicidal ideations, supporting similar studies suggesting that depression leads to suicidal action.     

不同性别双相情感障碍患者发生自杀行为的临床特征比较研究

目的:研究双相情感障碍患者自杀行为相关因素的性别差异。方法:依据ICD-10诊断标准入组有自杀行为的双相情感障碍患者1739例和无自杀行为的双相情感障碍患者3713例,进行不同性别间各项目的比较分析,通过Logistic回归分析男、女性双相情感障碍患者自杀行为相关的危险因素。结果:男、女性伴自杀行为双相情感障碍患者在年龄、婚姻状况、职业、吸烟史、饮酒史、重大精神创伤史、入院次数等方面差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。男性伴自杀行为患者较无自杀行为者年龄更大、已婚者更多、独生子女较少、较多家族自杀史、家族精神异常史、既往自杀史,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。女性伴自杀行为者较无自杀行为者年龄更大、较多饮酒史、重大精神创伤史、家族自杀史、既往自杀史,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,女性患者的重大精神创伤、家族自杀史、既往自杀史与发生自杀行为相关(P<0.05)。男性患者的既往有自杀史与发生自杀行为相关(P<0.01)。结论:男、女性双相情感障碍患者的自杀行为危险因素存在一定差异,区别化对待其危险因素对预防自杀有重要意义。     

Prevalence,risk and protective factors for substance abuse among homeless males living in Tehran

Background: Substance use is significantly more prevalent among the homeless, compared to the general population. However, the risk and protective factors for substance abuse among homeless population have not been well defined. Objectives: We examined risk and protective factors for substance abuse among homeless in Tehran. Methods: A total of 193 homeless people from Tehran were interviewed during the autumn 2015 about substance and alcohol use and other social factors associated with drug use disorders. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between substance abuse and a set of predictive variables. Results: Prevalence of drug abuse was 61.14% (95% CI: 55.20, 68.8). The most frequent used drugs were recognized to be: heroin, methamphetamine, and opium with prevalence rates of 51.54%, 36.08%, and 16.49%, respectively. Having a stronger social network and being married were of protective factors, while smoking and having history of incarceration turned out to be the risk factors for substance abuse among Iranian homeless people. Conclusion: Results suggested that risk and protective factors may be substantial mechanisms by which to improve substance abuse consequences and apply better contextualize prevention as well as planning early intervention policies for the homeless men.     

Suicidal ideation among Viennese high school students

OBJECTIVE: Suicidality spans a spectrum ranging from suicidal thoughts to suicidal acts, and suicidal ideation is more prevalent in youth populations, suggesting important developmental issues. We assessed the prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation and associated psychosocial factors among Viennese high school students. METHOD: An anonymous self-report survey assessing demographic characteristics and the major psychiatric risk factors of teenage suicide was completed by students at three Viennese high schools (n = 214; mean age 15.4 years). RESULTS: Eighty-one (37.9%) high school students reported having had suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives, girls significantly more often than boys (48.5% vs. 29.1%, P = 0.004). Furthermore, lifetime suicidal ideation in Viennese high school students was associated with living in broken-home families, cigarette smoking, substance problems (alcohol/drugs), self-reported depression, and high school type (the highest prevalence was in grammar school). After adjusting for confounders, we found that female gender, substance problems, school type and cigarette smoking were significantly associated with lifetime suicidal ideation in Viennese high school students. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial factors associated with adolescent suicidal ideation require attention in the contexts of suicide prevention and mental health promotion.