PSYCH 127A Chapter Notes - Chapter 5.11: Mental Disorder, Impulsivity, Stressor
Causes of suicide
● Psychological factors
○ Intense emotional distress and hopelessness
○ Interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior - suicidal
behavior represents an attempt to escape from unbearable
psychological pain produced by prolonged frustration of psychological
needs for affiliation and competence
○ Linked to social isolation and belief that one has become a burden to
others
○ Desire to end one's own life must be accompanied by the ability to
enact lethal self injury
○ People who make lethal suicide attempts often work their way up to the
act gradually which allows the person to habituate to pain and fear of
death
● Biological factors
○ Reduced levels of serotonin may be related to poor impulse control and
increased levels of violent and aggressive behavior
○ Genetic factors involved in the transmission of mood disorders
○ Genes associated with various NT systems, esp serotonin, influence
development of impulsive personality traits --> suicde is more likely
● Social factors
○ Active social networks can be a source of emotional support, protecting
a person from potential influence of self-destructive impulses
○ Access to firearms also affect suicide rates
■ Lower rates in states/countries with restrictive gun laws
■ Impulsivity + access to guns increases chances that a person
will die during an impulsive suicide attempt
Common elements of suicide
● Most suffer from some form of mental disorder
● Purpose: seek a solution
● Goal: cessation of consciousness
● Stimulus: unbearable psychological pain, excruciating negative emotions
● Stressor: frustrated psychological needs
○ Those with high standards are esp vulnerable
● Emotion: hopelessness, helplessness
Document Summary
Interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior - suicidal behavior represents an attempt to escape from unbearable psychological pain produced by prolonged frustration of psychological needs for affiliation and competence. Linked to social isolation and belief that one has become a burden to others. Desire to end one"s own life must be accompanied by the ability to enact lethal self injury. People who make lethal suicide attempts often work their way up to the act gradually which allows the person to habituate to pain and fear of death. Reduced levels of serotonin may be related to poor impulse control and increased levels of violent and aggressive behavior. Genetic factors involved in the transmission of mood disorders. Genes associated with various nt systems, esp serotonin, influence development of impulsive personality traits --> suicde is more likely. Active social networks can be a source of emotional support, protecting a person from potential influence of self-destructive impulses. Access to firearms also affect suicide rates.
