NCJ Number
14808
Date Published
1974
Length
176 pages
Annotation
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE NATURE, EXTENT, AND CAUSES OF SUICIDE AND METHODS FOR RECOGNITION AND PREVENTION, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SUICIDES IN THE MILITARY SERVICES.
Abstract
SOCIETAL ATTITUDES REGARDING SUICIDE ARE FIRST DISCUSSED. SUICIDE RATES ARE EXAMINED ACCORDING TO DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS, AND STATISTICS ON SUICIDES WORLDWIDE, IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR YOUNG ADULTS, AND FOR THE ARMED FORCES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. PSYCHOANALYTIC AND NONPSYCHOANALYTIC THEORIES ON SUICIDE CAUSES, AS WELL AS CLASSICAL THEORIES OF SUICIDE CAUSES ARE PRESENTED. SYMPTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS WHICH MAY INDICATE SUICIDAL TENDENCIES ARE OUTLINED, AND INCLUDE VERBAL CLUES, PHYSICAL SIGNS, AND PERSONAL ACTIONS. METHODS OF SUICIDE ARE DISCUSSED, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT MALES TEND TO EMPLOY MORE VIOLENT MEANS THAN FEMALES. PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ARMED SERVICES WHO ATTEMPTED SUICIDE, AND RESULTS OF THESE INTERVIEWS, INCLUDING SUICIDE POTENTIAL RATINGS, AND A GOALS OF LIFE INVENTORY ARE REPORTED. ORGANIZATIONAL, MEDICAL, SPIRITUAL AND INTERPERSONAL METHODS OF TREATMENT ARE REVIEWED, AND PREVENTION METHODS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RELATED RESOURCES IS PROVIDED.