Assignment topic 1:
The correlation of self-esteem and suicide
The text book debates the merits of high self-esteem, noting that high self-esteem is not always good. Carry out research on one potential correlate with self-esteem. Answer the following questions : Why might the 2 factors be connected? What does research on this connection show? Propose how the relationahip could be further studied.
Suicide, the act deliberate taking of one 's life, disturbs and threatens human society. At least a million people are estimated to die annually from suicide worldwide (Wasserman, Qi & Jiang, 2005) and what is of greater concern is that suicide rates among the young have increased dramatically in the past three decades
…show more content…
A negative relationship was found between the level of suicide behaviour and self-esteem.
Also, the vulnerability stress model which links self-esteem to suicide was put to test in a longitudinal study of 63 women who were having chronically poor self-esteem and experienced prolonged sexual and emotional or physical abuse as a child in Southern Alberta in 1987 (Bagley & Ramsay, 1997, p.149). Forty of the 63 participated in the therapy group designed to increase self-esteem, coping skills and social support. A follow-up study found that the women who joined these groups had maintained most of the gains they made in self-esteem, had a reduction of depression and an absence of suicidal ideas and behaviour. In contrast, the 23 women who did not receive therapy remained depressed and suicidal, and one woman in this category had actually committed suicide. Through this study, the correlation between low self-esteem and suicidal behaviour were confirmed.
The ultimate aim of research in correlational studies of self-esteem and suicidal behaviour is to understand, predict and prevent suicidal behaviour. The relationship between self-esteem and suicidal behaviour could be further studied to allow more effective preventive interventions to be put in place. At present, effective psychotherapy treatments for suicidal cases not provide self-esteem
The rate of suicide, the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally, increases each year. “More adolescents die each year from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, combined” (Preventing Teen Suicide, 2016, p.2). These facts show suicide is a serious problem among teens. Last year, teen suicide became the second leading cause of death in the United States confirming the significant increase in teen suicides.
In this task I will compare two theories of self-esteem which contribute to our understanding of self-concept. The theories which I will be focused on are Bowlby’s and Harter’s.
The experiment that was conducted was assess whether ethnicity is associated with suicide attempts across particular groups. A cross-sectional study was used to obtain the information on suicide attempt and suicidal completion. Interview was conducted to all participants to collect ethnicity and the structured interview for DSM-IV was used for the diagnosis of our patient. Patients were categorized in two groups: attempters if they attempt at least once during their life and non-attempters if they never attempt suicide during their life. At least ten different cohorts such as age, gender, diagnosis, duration of illness and a history of alcohol or substance abuse were used. Also the patients were separated by bipolar and schizophrenia disorders.
Two models that provide a framework for understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences being a risk factor for suicide ideation and suicide attempt are: The Suicidal Mode model and
&Donovick (2005) discuss how approximately 30% of all offenders have engaged in some form of self-harm behaviour during the course of their incarceration. While some articles discuss how they are in fact one and the same and have the influence to impact each other, other articles depict self-harm and suicide to be mutually exclusive. This is evident when the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse (2006) states, “Research suggests that self-harm and suicide attempts have different intents, etiologies, bodily harms, frequency and methods. Suicidal acts are oriented toward ending pain and suffering through the end of life, while self-harm is viewed as a method of coping” (p. 2, 2006). They additionally share that some studies show an increase in suicide rates in those who have been subject to self-harming behaviours (2006). For this reason, knowing the triggering factors that could potentially lead to suicide is imperative.
Throughout the course of human history epidemic spurts of self-destructive behaviour have posed both pertinent philosophical and medical problems for societies all across the globe. Presently, in various ethnic communities spread across the world, rates of suicide, substance abuse, and other detrimental actions towards oneself display their highest rates among young people (CITE THIS). While much research has been facilitated on the vast degree and distribution of self-destructive behaviour, there continues to remain a vast disparity in the academic literature that focuses on the underlying causes of such action (CITE). My research will attempt to effectively contribute to this general lack of research-driven information through the
The concept of self esteem is widespread in life. When it comes to academics and extracurricular actives people associate high self esteem is necessary for success. Society makes promoting self esteem an important goal. With that in mind, it is surprising that only recently scientific literature began providing insight into the nature of development of self esteem.
There is a significant relationship between childhood physical and sexual abuse and suicidal ideation. Suicide ideators are individuals who have plans and wishes to commit suicide, but have not yet made any recent attempts. Since suicide ideation precedes suicide attempt, it is important to focus on the intensity, pervasiveness and characteristics of the ideation in order to assess suicidal intention and to predict future suicidal risk (article). The Scale for Suicidal Ideation is a 19-item scale that will be used to quantify the intensity of current suicidal intent by scaling various dimensions of self-destructive thoughts (Beck & Kovacs, 1979).
Suicide is a major problem worldwide; especially for teenagers. Self image plays a big roll in American society today, especially in enabling someone to make a wrong and destructive decision like suicide. Self image and low esteem effect the chances of a teenagers suicide greatly. There are many events that lead up to a young persons suicide, for instance a little problem that seems inescapable which manifests themselves into overwhelming burdens. Detection and prevention are both key for adults and young people to stop suicide from happening.
Many people at one point in their life have experienced the feeling of hopelessness. Hopelessness is described as a feeling of despair. Most people experience despair after a death, trauma, or being separated from a person or thing. Out in the world today, there are so many outlooks and strategies that are willing to help with this feeling of hopelessness. Outlooks such as people or even making plans and setting goals. Setting small goals and accomplishing them are a great way to boost self-esteem and prevent or reduce hopelessness. Hopelessness can lead to issues such as depression, low self-esteem, and suicide. These people may be able to use the bible to help them to cope with hopelessness. For example, Isiah 40-55 is a great explanation on how to restore hope.
This essay will argue that the effectiveness of Durkheim’s method compared with recent studies is not effective to study suicide, as there are some limitations for applying Durkheim’s concept to investigate suicide behaviors. For example, Durkheim’s method is lack of supporting evidences from individual studies such as high rate suicides of the homeless or attempted suicides from women. Therefore, comparing to recent studies, it should be reformed by combing individual studies and group studies to get the full scope
While there are many theories of why people commit suicide, the theoretical framework I will attempt to use to shape this research is The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. Joiner did mention that many theories were lacking a key component, but he did not totally dismiss these theories he added them to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. The Interpersonal Theory of suicide states “one could feel a perceived burdensomeness combined with failed belongingness constitutes to psychache” (Joiner, 2005, pg. 37). However, Joiner (2005) adds that psychache and social integration can produce suicide ideation, but alone is not enough to explain the difference of why some people live with the pain and others commit suicide. Joiner (2005) states the
Deliberate self-harm is a term that covers a wide range of behaviours some of which are directly related to suicide and some are not. This is a relatively common behaviour that is little understood. This essay provides an overview of the nature and extent of those most at risk of self-harm, including causes and risk factors. Examining some of the stereotyping that surrounds self -harm, and looking at ways in which self-harm can be prevented.
Review of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire by BELINDA B. STRAUSS, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, United States of America:
Moreover, the associated stressors that leads to suicide and suicide ideation and intervention in tackling suicide rates. Statistical data and demographic information were obtained from World Health Organization, World Bank and any published articles or journals that related to the topic.