Life Events in Suicide and Undetermined Death in South-East Scotland: a Case-Control Study Using the Method of Psychological Autopsy

Year: 1999 Source: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, v.34, no.12, (December 1999), p.645-650 SIEC No: 20101025

This study compared 45 cases of suicide/undetermined death with 40 living controls using psychological autopsy in south-east Scotland. Cases & controls did not differ significantly in severity of mental disorder. Adverse interpersonal events within the family & adverse physical health-related events were significantly more common in cases than controls. Recent adverse life events contributed to an increased risk of suicide even when age, gender, & mental disorder were controlled for. Future research should examine interactions between social support & acute & chronic adversity. (28 refs.) JA

Table of Contents

Cavanagh J T OOwens D G CJohnstone E C