Archives of Suicide Research

Labonte, Benoit; Turecki, Gustavo

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524025pmid: 21082447

A number of recent studies have shown epigenetic alterations associated with suicidal behavior. These epigenetic mechanisms, which alter gene expression via alternative mechanisms to the coding DNA sequence, result from environmental effects acting on the genome. Studies in rodents indicate that variation in the early environment will trigger these epigenetic modifications and recent human data suggest the same may be true in humans.The expression of a number of genes, which are involved in normal brain functions and that have been shown to be under epigenetic control, seem to be dysregulated in suicide. The present review briefly describes the main epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression and discusses recent findings of epigenetic alterations in suicidal behavior.

Dale, Rosanna; Power, Kevin; Kane, Scott; Stewart, Alex Mitchell; Murray, Lindsey

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524066pmid: 21082448

The current study examined the role of perceived parental bonding and early maladaptive schemas in suicidal behavior. Participants completed measures of perceived parental bonding; schemas; risk of repeating suicidal behavior; anxiety; and depression following their presentation at Accident and Emergency with suicidal behavior. A suicidal behavior group (n = 60) differed from a comparison clinical (n = 46) and non-clinical (n = 48) group on measures of early maladaptive schemas, anxiety, and depression. No significant difference was noted between the suicidal behavior group and the comparison clinical group on a measure of parental bonding. Within the suicidal behavior group, significant associations were indicated between perceived parental bonding and risk of repetition of suicidal behavior; and early maladaptive schemas and risk of repetition of suicidal behavior. Early maladaptive schemas were found to mediate the relationship between perceived parental bonding and risk of repetition of suicidal behavior, with schemas of Social Alienation and Defectiveness/Shame offering mediator roles. The findings of the current study emphasize the complexities of suicidal behavior and factors that are associated with suicidal behavior. Although causality cannot be assumed, the findings highlight the importance and inter-relationships of not only perceived early experiences, but of underlying schemas in relation to suicidal behavior.

Gordon, Kathryn H.; Selby, Edward A.; Anestis, Michael D.; Bender, Theodore W.; Witte, Tracy K.; Braithwaite, Scott; Van Orden, Kimberly A.; Bresin, Konrad; Joiner, Thomas E.

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524059pmid: 21082449

The current study tested hypotheses derived from Joiner's (2005) interpersonal theory of suicide, which proposes that deliberate self-harm (DSH) becomes increasingly more reinforcing with repetition. One hundred six participants with a history of DSH completed questionnaires about their emotions and experience of physical pain during their most recent DSH episode. Consistent with prediction, people with more numerous past DSH episodes felt more soothed, more relieved, and calmer following their most recent episode of DSH. Contrary to prediction, greater numbers of past DSH episodes were associated with more intense physical pain during the most recent episode. The findings suggest that the emotion regulation functions of DSH may become more reinforcing with repetition.

Chesin, Megan S.; Jeglic, Elizabeth L.; Stanley, Barbara

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524054pmid: 21082450

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model of high-lethality suicide attempts (HLSA) in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). An increased number of prior suicide attempts, substance use immediately prior to the attempt, and objective planning were proposed to lead directly to a HLSA, while aggression and impulsivity were hypothesized to lead indirectly to a HLSA through their associations with prior attempts. Path analysis revealed a revised model in which impulsivity was found to be significantly associated with both the lethality of the most recent attempt and the number of prior attempts. These results are discussed in terms of trait and crescendo models of suicidal behavior and their implications for suicide risk assessment among individuals with BPD.

Brådvik, Louise; Berglund, Mats

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524068pmid: 21082451

The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of suicide attempts across the depressive episodes in suicides and controls with a severe depression. A blind record evaluation was performed of 100 suicide victims and matched controls admitted to the Department of Psychiatry between 1956 and 1969 and monitored to 2006. There was a similar number of episodes in suicides and controls and in the early episodes a similar number of suicide attempts in both groups. However, in the later episodes future suicides showed more suicide attempts as compared to controls. This was found for unipolar depression only. This difference was found despite previously shown similar rates of adequate treatment and improvement. In conclusion, more depressive episodes including suicide attempts appeared to be related to suicide.

McCann, Stewart J. H.

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524070pmid: 21082452

The research determined the relation of the 2004–2005 American state suicide rates to state means on neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness as assessed by Rentfrow, Gosling, and Potter (2008). Multiple regression strategies were used to analyze relations between state suicide rates and state personality means with state socioeconomic status, White population percent, urban population percent, and depression rates controlled. Multiple regression analysis showed that neuroticism accounted for 32.0% and agreeableness another 16.3% of the variance in suicide rates when demographics and depression were controlled. Lower neuroticism and lower agreeableness were associated with higher suicide rates. Lower neuroticism and lower agreeableness may be important risk factors for completed suicide but not suicidal ideation or attempted suicide.

Kraft, Tara L.; Jobes, David A.; Lineberry, Timothy W.; Conrad, Amy; Kung, Simon

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524073pmid: 21082453

Qualitatively oriented research (e.g., studies of suicide notes) has shed valuable light on the phenomenology of suicidal states. However, one draw back to this approach is that conclusions drawn from such data are inferential. In the current study, we took a more direct approach by having a sample of 52 suicidal inpatients provide written responses to the following query: Why suicide? A reliable coding system was developed that captured seven distinct response types to our prompt (i.e., suicide was seen as: the easy way out, a permanent solution, an escape from pain, the only option, self-oriented, related to hopelessness, and relationally-focused). In our discussion, we further reflect on these patient perceptions of suicide in terms of theory, research, and practice.

doi: 10.1080/13811118.2010.524076pmid: N/A