An epidemiologic study of risk factors in two teenage suicide clusters

Article Abstract:

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults between the ages of 15 and 25, accounting for more than 6,000 deaths in the United States annually. Many of these suicides occur in clusters within a single community. In an attempt to isolate the factors leading to teenage suicide and to indicate what behavior patterns might be warning signs, the authors studied two clusters of suicides in medium-sized suburban communities with above-average incomes. For each suicide victim, three teenagers of similar age and background from the same community were selected as control subjects. A questionnaire was given to individuals expected to have intimate knowledge of the case subjects or the control subjects. The questionnaire covered various aspects of personality, lifestyle, and academic and social history, and was given to parents, teachers, therapists, friends and the control teenagers themselves. After analyzing the completed questionnaires, researchers concluded that the teenagers who committed suicide were more likely than the control subjects to have previously attempted or threatened suicide or physically harmed themselves, engaged in interpersonal violence, been hospitalized for mental illness or substance abuse, recently lost a boyfriend or girlfriend, been arrested, attended more than four schools, lived with more than two different parents, or had more than two residences. The suicide victims were judged to be more vulnerable to being hurt or offended and more preoccupied with death; in some cases they had said their 'last goodbyes.' Although the effects on the case subjects of exposure to other suicides, either directly or through coverage in the media, could not be established by the authors, they cautioned that this may be a factor in teenage suicide that is worthy of future research. To prevent teenagers from looking upon suicide as a means of attracting attention from their peers, the authors caution against sensational media coverage and mass memorial services when teenage suicide occurs.

Research, Emotional problems of children, Childhood emotional problems, Adolescent psychology, Behavioral assessment of children, Childhood behavioral assessment

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Weapon involvement and injury outcomes in family and intimate assaults

Article Abstract:

Physical assaults between family members or those in an intimate relationship are more likely to result in death if a firearm is involved. A survey of police reports of 23 fatal and 142 non-fatal family and intimate assaults found that those involving a firearm were 12 times more likely to result in death than those involving some other weapon. Assaults involving a firearm were three times more likely to result in death than those involving knives and 23 times more likely to result in death than those involving a blunt instrument or bodily force. Limiting access to firearms or making them harder to load and fire could reduce the number of fatal assaults among intimates. Guns could be kept locked up, unloaded, in a place separate from the ammunition. Individuals who have a history of abuse or are under a restraining order could be prohibited from buying a gun. The factors that lead to assaults on family members and intimates need to be addressed.

Usage, Firearms, Family violence, Domestic violence, Assault and battery

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Firearms and suicide

Article Abstract:

Doctors need to do more research to find ways to identify people who are suicidal. A 1999 study found that the death rate from suicide was much higher in a group of people who had recently bought a handgun. In 1997, 54% of all firearm-related deaths in the US were suicides. There appears to be no accurate screening test to identify suicidal people, especially at the time they buy the gun. Many states have waiting periods for handgun purchase, but research is needed to determine whether waiting periods will lower the risk of suicide in gun buyers.

Editorial, Patient outcomes, Mortality, Prevention, Suicide prevention, Firearms owners

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