Citation

Ellis J, Range L. Death Stud. 1989; 13(5): 485-500.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481188908252326

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Evidence on the demographic characteristics of suicidal people is mixed. Demograph-ically, at relatively higher risk are men, whites, older adults or adolescents, and native Americans. In terms of personality, suicidal individuals are described as having maladaptive affect (depressed, irritable, aroused, and socially isolated) or maladaptive cognitions (hopeless, having negative expectations, field dependent, cog-nitively rigid, and impulsive). In contrast, some recent research has investigated whether suicidal persons lack important adaptive characteristics. The Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL) was developed with this emphasis and has the advantages of a positive focus (reasons for not committing suicide), six separate subscales, and strong reliability and validity. A more thorough understanding of adaptive characteristics through the use of such instruments as the RFL may help clinicians and researchers in treating and preventing suicidal behavior.

Language: en