Resource Tag: FIELD DEPENDENCE (PSYCHOLOGY)

Abramson and Sackheim’s notion of paradoxical depression was operationally assessed and, as predicted, individuals showing this type of depression had higher levels of current suicidal ideation than other individuals. (5 refs)

This study examined child maltreatment, family instability, & poor general family environment as early negative life events, & examined self-esteem, locus of control, hopelessness, & problem-solving deficits as cognitive factors. A series of structural equation analyses indicated that early negative life events have a mild impact on suicidal behaviour, but a stronger impact on cognitive […]

The contribution of personality &/or cognitive style to serious suicide attempt risk in young people was examined in a case-control study. Individuals making suicide attempts had elevated odds of hopelessness, neuroticism, introversion, low self-esteem, impulsiveness, & external locus of control. When allowance was made for intercorrelations among these meausres, hopelessness, neuroticism, & external locus of […]

A random sample of 200 male & 205 female Australian high school students from 13-19 yrs of age were investigated to determine whether there was a relationship between locus of control & a range of suicidal behaviors. Testing included a questionnaire with demographic details, the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children & questions about […]

The paper describes factors deemed correlational or contributory to the increased rate of Aboriginal suicide in Canada. Factors discussed include: poverty, powerlesness, anomie, history of disturbing child experiences, recent separation or loss, alcohol abuse & depression. It describes the general causes of psychosocial stresses among aboriginals, prevention strategies, treatment of powerlessness, & preventing anomie. (11 […]

This research focussed on 4 cognitive styles in a longitudinal study of suicide attempters, psychiatric patients & normal controls. Cognitive rigidity & field dependence seem to be a common feature of patients in crises & depressive states & are not dependent on anxiety. In times of crises, cognitive styles seem to exhibit greater alterations in […]

This qualitative study explored the meaning of suicide to the elderly & how suicide becomes an alternative for them. Results indicate that elderly subjects gave considerable thought to the end of their lives. For them, suicide was frequently viewed as a way of maintaining control over the dying process. The elderly describe their views on […]

Psychological characteristics were gathered from 3 groups of adolescents: suicide attempters, depressed, and nondepressed who never attempted suicide. Various characteristics discriminated the attempters from the normal group but not from the depressed group. These characteristics are probably not specific for adolescent suicide attempters. Suicide attempters showed many similarities with the depressed adolescents. (40+ ref.)

This article reports on a study that led to development of a theory of postpartum depression. Data were obtained from a support group over an 18-month period & 12 in-depth interviews. Data analysis revealed loss of control as the basic social problem. Women suffering from postpartum depression attempted to cope with this problem through the […]

110 French-Canadian adolescents (60 boys, 50 girls) participated in an analysis of the reliability and validity of a French version of the Scale for Suicide Ideation. Results suggest good reliability. Associations were found between suicide ideation and measures of self-esteem, multidimentional locus of control, life stress, depression, anomie, and age.

In 97 high school students, lower external locus of control scores were associated weakly with suicidal preoccupation, in contrast to the results of an earlier study of college students. (3 refs.)

This editorial reviews a study from The Netherlands on non-fatal prison suicides. The article identified four major types of stressors and looked at themes in regards to pervasive feelings of the inmates. The editorial ends with recommendations for preventing self injury and suicide attempts.

Data for this study was provided from the data bank of a study of adolescent suicide ideation. 558 French-Canadian students took part in the present study which examined the association between parental control in child rearing & Levenson’s locus of control dimensions. Analysis showed relations between parental control & the 2 external dimensions proposed by […]

150 hospitalized parasuicides were evaluated on measures of sense of coherence, depression, hopelessness & self-esteem & followed up after 6 months to determine current levels of suicidal ideation & whether they had been readmitted for a further attempt or killed themselves. Suicidal ideation at 6 months was best predicted by 2 Sense of Coherence subscales. […]

This article outlines many aspects of cognitive theory, research, & therapy techniques. The authors discuss the cognitive model of psychopathology, including cognitive distortions, depression, & the cognitive triad. They also describe the Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Suicide Intent Scale, & the Hopelessness Scale. They describe research which links suicide & hopelessness, problem-solving deficits, impulsivity, […]

In this study, people leaving school were given an initial battery of psychological tests, & then retested 4 to 8 years later to assess the enduring nature of ideation. Suicidal ideation was significantly associated with measures of depression, self-esteem & locus of control 8 years previously. The authors conclude that the premise of the enduring […]

The authors of this study found no differences between parasuicides & psychiatric controls in regard to dichotomous thinking. The values for field dependence did not differ significantly either, although men had higher values than women. However, there may be a subgroup whose thinking styles & cognitive characteristics influences their interpretation & evaluation of potentially suicide-triggering […]

60 Ss (20 men & 40 women undergraduates) completed an anonymous questionnaire containing the Beck Depression Inventory, the Levenson Locus of Control Scales, & questions about suicidal history. Results extended previous work by Sidrow & Lester by indicating that suicidal ideation is associated with the belief in an external locus of control for a nonclinical […]

Further comment on a study of parasuicides who resolve their problems. 30 persons who made repeat attempts within 3 months, compared to 156 who did not, had a history of more frequent episodes beginning at a younger age; had more severe problems & less lethal acts; & had greater feelings of hostility, powerlessness, & “normlessness”. […]

The author argues that adopting & implementing a socio-ecological approach to health will lessen the frequency & severity of suicide in native communities. To reduce the rate & impact of suicide, the health & welfare of the community as a whole must be improved. Health promotion, which is holistic in nature, is the most likely […]

This proceeding presents statistics on the prevalence of suicide & suicide attempts among victims of violence. Information is included on specific violent incidents, such as rape, sexual molestation, & aggravated assault. The proceeding provides a theoretical continuum approach to suicide by victims of violence. (SC)

228 parasuicides were interviewed within 3 days of the event, & 187 again interviewed 3 months later. 60% (“resolvers”) had achieved a 50% or better reduction in problems. However, resolvers had about the same rate of repeat self-harm as non-resolvers. Repeaters had greater problem scores, shorter prodromal episodes, younger age at first episode, a more […]

Using data from a nonprobability sample of 455 adolescents & youthful committers to test the hypothesis that attempters & committers do not differ with respect to environmental & stress factors, the results do show some differences. Committers expressed concerns relating to failure, lack of control, powerlessness, & a negative view of the future. Socio-psychological characteristics […]