Interpersonal Problem‐Solving Deficits in Self‐Poisoning Patients

Abstract

Self-poisoning patients (n = 40) were compared with psychiatric patients (n = 40) and nonpatient controls (n = 20) on measures of interpersonal problem-solving skills and locus of control in an effort to determine the importance of these cognitive and personality variables in self-poisoning behavior. The psychiatric and self-poisoning groups showed deficits on measures assessing interpersonal problem solving when compared with nonpatient controls. The self-poisoning group performed below the level of the psychiatric patients on all except one test, on which they performed at the level of the psychiatric group. Locus of control did not differentiate self-poisoning patients from nonpatient controls, and it was concluded that this variable is not an important factor in self-poisoning behavior.

Pediatric Suicide-Related Presentations: A Systematic Review of Mental Health Care in the Emergency Department

“…Of these studies, 63 were identified as potentially relevant to interventions for suicide-related behaviors. Ten studies met the revised inclusion criteria: seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] and three non-randomized (quasiexperimental) trials. [34][35][36] One study 34 had a duplicate publication.…”

“…37 Five RCTs' samples extended from adolescence to adulthood. [29][30][31][32][33] One in-progress study was identified as relevant; but no data were available and the study was not included in this review. 38 Two studies were excluded based on year of publication [39][40] and we were unable to retrieve three studies through interlibrary loan.…”

“…31 Patient populations included more females (sample average=72%; range=54-100%). Five studies included adolescents aged 12 and 18 years, [27][28][34][35][36] four studies included participants ≥ 15 years of age, [29][30][32][33] and one study reported a median age of 23 years for their study population. 31 All studies were classified into three categories according to participant inclusion criteria using the Silverman et al [44][45] recommendations for defining and classifying patients' suicide-related presentations and observed intent: (1) Studies that recruited subjects with 'suicide attempts' included patients whose behavior indicated a clear intent to die; (2) Studies that recruited subjects with 'self-harm' included patients whose behavior indicated no intent to die; (3) Studies that recruited subjects with 'ideation/ planning' included patients who expressed ideation or planning without any clearly expressed suicide-related behaviors; and (4) Studies that recruited subjects with 'undefined behaviors' included patients where intent was undetermined or undefined.…”

“…These studies, published between 1986 and 2008, were conducted in: USA (n=4), [27][28][34][35] UK (n=2), 29,32 Belgium (n=1), 30 Ireland (n=1), 33 Canada (n=1), 36 as well as Brazil, India, Iran, Sri Lanka and China (n=1). 31 Patient populations included more females (sample average=72%; range=54-100%).…”

Suicidal ideation and behaviour

“…Since suicidal individuals are thought to often have difficulty in communicating and negotiating their needs and wishes (McLeavey et al, 1994) and to frequently resort to passive avoidant coping strategies (Adams and Adams, 1991), Brent's treatment model encouraged more assertive and direct methods of communicating, as well as increasing the teenager's ability to conceptualize alternative solutions to problems. Meetings with parents were sometimes held to augment the treatment.…”