Beyond psychopathology: A case–control psychological autopsy study of young adult males
Author(s)
Ross, Victoria
Kolves, Kairi
De Leo, Diego
Year published
2017
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: As young Australian males are at a high risk of suicide, the identification of risk factors other than psychopathology is vital for the development of comprehensive suicide prevention measures. Aims: The study investigated whether there were differences in risk factors and pathways to suicide in young adult males from Queensland, Australia, with and without a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Methods: A case–control, psychological autopsy method was applied using a control group of young males who had died suddenly from causes other than suicide. Results: Suicide cases without a psychiatric diagnosis more ...
View more >Background: As young Australian males are at a high risk of suicide, the identification of risk factors other than psychopathology is vital for the development of comprehensive suicide prevention measures. Aims: The study investigated whether there were differences in risk factors and pathways to suicide in young adult males from Queensland, Australia, with and without a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Methods: A case–control, psychological autopsy method was applied using a control group of young males who had died suddenly from causes other than suicide. Results: Suicide cases without a psychiatric diagnosis more frequently displayed behaviours indicative of their suicidality (such as previous attempts, disposing of possessions and making statements of hopelessness) than controls without a diagnosis. Suicides without a diagnosis also displayed more ‘difficult’ personality traits, such as higher levels of neuroticism and aggression. They also experienced poorer quality of life and were significantly more likely than their controls to have experienced a recent separation from a spouse or partner. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the existence of several distinct characteristics of young males who die by suicide in the absence of any diagnosable psychiatric disorder.
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View more >Background: As young Australian males are at a high risk of suicide, the identification of risk factors other than psychopathology is vital for the development of comprehensive suicide prevention measures. Aims: The study investigated whether there were differences in risk factors and pathways to suicide in young adult males from Queensland, Australia, with and without a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Methods: A case–control, psychological autopsy method was applied using a control group of young males who had died suddenly from causes other than suicide. Results: Suicide cases without a psychiatric diagnosis more frequently displayed behaviours indicative of their suicidality (such as previous attempts, disposing of possessions and making statements of hopelessness) than controls without a diagnosis. Suicides without a diagnosis also displayed more ‘difficult’ personality traits, such as higher levels of neuroticism and aggression. They also experienced poorer quality of life and were significantly more likely than their controls to have experienced a recent separation from a spouse or partner. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the existence of several distinct characteristics of young males who die by suicide in the absence of any diagnosable psychiatric disorder.
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Journal Title
International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Volume
63
Issue
2
Subject
Clinical sciences
Psychology
Other psychology not elsewhere classified