Citation

Duberstein PR, Conwell Y, Caine ED. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 1993; 181(2): 80-85.

Affiliation

University of Rochester-NIMH Clinical Research Center for the Study of Psychopathology of the Elderly, New York.

Comment In:

J Nerv Ment Dis 1993;181(9):588-9

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8426175

Abstract

In contrast to suicide in depression, suicide associated with alcoholism and substance dependence may be preceded more often by interpersonal loss and conflict 6 weeks prior to death. We used psychological autopsy methodology in an effort to clarify and extend these findings using a more comprehensive typology of interpersonal stressors. Subjects included 57 suicide victims with diagnoses of alcohol/substance dependence (A/SD; N = 30) and mood/anxiety disorders (M/AD; N = 27). Consistent with previous studies, a substantial majority of the A/SD suicide victims were confronted with interpersonal stressors in the 6 weeks prior to death. Our investigation extends previous findings by indicating that a) A/SD suicide victims are confronted with a broader range of interpersonal stressors than M/AD suicide completers and b) the types of interpersonal stressors experienced by A/SD subjects in the weeks prior to suicide involve conflicts/arguments and attachment disruptions.

Language: en