Bittersweet transformative experiences in professionals working with suicidal patients: a meta-synthesis

Objectives: To synthesize and reinterpret findings from primary qualitative studies on the emotional experience of health care professionals working with mental health and mental health professionals providing care for people with suicidal behavior. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature with the SPIDER structured search strategy in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and LILACS). A meta-synthesis was performed with data from qualitative studies published between 2005 and 2021. Two independent reviewers screened and assessed the articles. They evaluated methodological quality of included articles, extracted data, and performed the thematic synthesis. Results: Of 852 articles, 21 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were synthesized. The meta-synthesis revealed three descriptive themes: coping with adverse experiences; coming across fortunate experiences; professional-personal implications. Based on these descriptive themes, we elaborated the analytical theme: bittersweet experiences of personal and professional transformation. Conclusions: Mental health professionals working with people manifesting suicidal behaviors must cope with complex emotional experiences that involve controversial and ambivalent feelings. Such feelings have repercussions that may transform personal and professional life. The present results are useful for the development and implementation of interventions that promote better overall mental health outcomes for healthcare providers. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42021257237.

Why do people attempt suicide? A mixed methods research from South India

Background: Every 40 seconds a person dies by suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people 15-29 years of age, globally. In India, there is an increasing trend of suicide from 10.4 per lakh in 2003 to 10.9 per lakh in 2009.Methods: A (QUAN – QUAL) sequential explanatory design was used. Among 200 patients admitted for attempted suicide in JIPMER and Indira Gandhi Government Hospital and Post Graduate Institute Pondicherry were assessed for the reasons for attempting suicide using a semi-structured questionnaire. For a subsample of 40 (20%) In-depth interview was done to explore and understand the reasons and the undermined situation associated with attempted suicide at their residence.Results: Among the study subjects (n=200), mean (±standard deviation) age of suicide attempt was 26±9.1 years. Commonest reason for attempting suicide was verbal abuse, most often by parents (31.9%). Other precipitating factors were physical abuse, illness, marital conflict, family related problem, etc. On IDI, it was found that there were several factors like, background factors, aggravating, and protective factor. A conceptual diagram was generated depicting the imbalance between the protective and aggravating factors acting on the background factors before the execution of a suicide attempt.Conclusions: There is lot of scope to reduce the suicidal attempts in our country. Opportunistic screening should be done to identify any psycho-social issues among patients attending OPD. Strong social support and enabling environment should be provided for counselling individuals with suicidal ideation and intentions.

Honesty in reporting suicidal ideations and behaviors in Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and dementias

Background:Detection of patients’ suicidal ideations and behaviors (SIB) is critical to patient safety. It is important to consider the needs, abilities and propensity for honesty in reporting SIB in populations with compromised cognitive abilities. We surveyed patients with compromised cognitive abilities to determine if they feel they would report SIB and the conditions underwhich they would be honest in reporting SIB?Methods:Patients reporting diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or other dementias completed online surveys. Participants were asked their likelihood for honesty, preferences and comfort when answering questions on SIB in-person and using electronic self-report.Results:73 patients with AD, MCI or other dementias, 95% reported they were likely to report SIB honestly electronically and 92% would be honest with a health care provider (HCP). However, 96% would be honest in-person with an HCP they knew but less than 88% said they would be honest if they didn’t know the HCP. Conclusions: These data suggest that patients with cognitive conditions may be more likely to reportSIB truthfully using electronic self-report than a clinical face to face interview but that either form of reporting is an effective methodology for obtaining honest responses about SIB. Taking the FDA guidance on suicidality and the potential for cognitive decrements in this population, multiple tools for assessing depression and SIB should be implemented when treating or working this population

The Relationship between Reduced Meals for Controlling Weight and Suicidal Ideations in Korean Women Aged 20–40 Years: The 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: Attempting unhealthy weight control can be related to psychological problems such as suicidal ideations, depression, and eating disorders. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between reduced meals for controlling weight and suicidal ideations in Korean women aged 20–40 years.METHODS: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a cohort survey investigating the health behavior, chronic disease prevalence, and food and nutrition intake status of the Korean population. Ours is a cross-sectional study of 1,761 Korean women aged 20–40 years who were especially interested in weight control and who participated in the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination. We measured the percentages of smoking, drinking, educational standards, personal income, stress perception, depression, suicidal ideations, and obesity among the subjects. The participants' age and body mass index were measured as weighted means and standard errors. The relationship between reduced meals for controlling weight and suicidal ideations in Korean women aged 20–40 years was examined by logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Of the 1,761 participants who took the survey, 642 participants experienced suicidal ideations. After making all adjustments, the odds ratio of suicidal ideations with reduced meals was 1.237 (0.588–2.602).CONCLUSION: The finding of this study revealed that there was no relationship between reduced meals for controlling weight and suicidal ideations.

Associated Factors of Suicidal Ideation in Community Residents with Suicidal Attempt Experiences

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study isto explore influencing factors which contribute to the suicidal ideation in community residents who have ever experienced suicidal attempts. METHODS: The subjects of this study were a total of 165 local residents with some experiences of suicidal attempts in B City and K Province. The data were collected from May 1st to October 30th, 2012 and self-report questionnaires including Suicidal Ideation Inventory, Self-Esteem Inventory, Depression, Family and Social Support Inventory were used as a measurement tool. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: The average score of suicidal ideation in the local residents with experiences of suicidal attempts was 12.7+/-6.25. Predicted factors on suicidal ideation in the local residents with experiences of suicide attempts included self-esteem, depression and physical illness, and the suicidal ideation has a variance explanation power of 54%. CONCLUSION: The development and application of intervention programs, which can help to increase self-esteem levels and decrease depression levels among community residents with experiences of suicidal attempts, are first needed. Furthermore, nursing services of customized self-management for people with physical disabilities are needed on the basis of their own physical problems.