ABSTRACT
The National Institute of Mental Health sponsored a research workshop in 1999 to examine the potential of various theoretical approaches for enhancing adherence and behavior change, with special attention to mental disorders as mediators and outcomes. Complementary, multiple levels of analysis--including individual, small-group, community, and cultural perspectives--were considered. Working groups identified problems and gaps in knowledge that if addressed would transform adherence and behavior change from overlooked or nuisance variables to critical variables in research on mental and medical disorders.
Subject(s)
Health Behavior , Mental Disorders/therapy , Patient Compliance , Behavior Therapy , Humans , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Gender Identity , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Suicide/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Research , Risk Factors , Suicide PreventionABSTRACT
Research on the hypothesized relationship between sexual orientation and suicide is limited both in quantity and quality. National or statewide data on the frequency and causes of completed suicide in gay and lesbian people in the general population, including youth, do not exist. Similarly, national or statewide data on the frequency of suicide attempts among the general population or among gay and lesbian people, including youth, do not exist. Methodological limitations in the small research literature include a lack of consensus on definitions for key terms such as suicide attempt and sexual orientation, uncertain reliability and validity of measures for these terms, nonrepresentative samples, and a lack of appropriate nongay and/or nonclinical control groups for making accurate comparisons. These numerous methodological limitations prevent accurate conclusions about the role sexual orientation might play in suicidal behavior; the limitations also suggest opportunities for future research. Furthermore, recent evaluations of some school suicide-awareness programs suggest that these programs are ineffective and may actually have unintended negative effects. The premature dissemination of unproven programs is unwarranted.
Subject(s)
Gender Identity , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Suicide/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Bias , Female , Forecasting , Homosexuality, Female/statistics & numerical data , Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Research , Risk Factors , Suicide/statistics & numerical data , Suicide, Attempted/prevention & control , Suicide, Attempted/psychology , Suicide, Attempted/statistics & numerical data , United States/epidemiology , Suicide PreventionABSTRACT
The authors studied arrest records and clinical data on 217 persons formerly hospitalized as "White House Cases" because they were psychotically preoccupied with prominent political figures. Prior arrest for violent crime was the variable most strongly associated with arrest for violent crime after hospital discharge. Male gender and a history of weapons possession were also correlated with future violence. For those with prior violent crime arrests, hospital incidents requiring seclusion were also associated with later violence. For those without prior arrests, subsequent violence was associated with threats, living outside Washington, and command hallucinations. For those previously arrested for nonviolent crimes, only persecutory delusions were associated with later violence.
