This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in... more This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in which they describe their experiences with, and understanding of, suicide. A history of attempted suicide was reported by 76% of the participants and the analysis revealed themes of isolation, rejection/betrayal, lack of control, and most centrally, low self-worth as forming the basis of their experiences concerning suicide. Additionally it was found that trading sex, in which most participants had been or were currently involved, was linked with their suicidal experiences and may account for the high attempt rate. Finally, variables related to suicide were found that have not been examined previously in the literature on street youth, including loss of control, assault during prostituted sex, drug abuse as a "slow suicide," and breakups in intimate relationships.
American Journal of Community Psychology, Dec 22, 2017
Highlights • Participatory action research (PAR) remains an underutilized methodology in communit... more Highlights • Participatory action research (PAR) remains an underutilized methodology in community mental health. • PAR embodies the type of approach needed to improve the system-level impacts of community psychology. • The contexts of PAR are changing and how PAR is understood and taught need to change with them.
Qualitative methods are the investigative tools of choice for the field of cultural psychology, i... more Qualitative methods are the investigative tools of choice for the field of cultural psychology, in which the study of meaning is central. The process of cultural psychological research calls for an approach that emphasizes the quality of the relationship between researchers and participants. We argue for the importance of this relationship in the development of the validity and usefulness of such work. Methods within this framework often include dialectic communication, respect, participatory partnership, inductive reasoning, and the taking of extra time as necessary. In this paper, research projects with urban Canadian street youth, Inuit prison inmates, and Inuit community members experiencing a youth suicide epidemic are provided as case studies that highlight the relational motif in qualitative research.
Although traditional suicide prevention programs have had moderate effects in reducing suicide, t... more Although traditional suicide prevention programs have had moderate effects in reducing suicide, there is a need for community-based approaches that embrace positive psychological principles, such as community empowerment, and which considers community needs and values. A new paradigm, critical suicidology, is discussed, which is more contextualized, subjective, historical, ecological, social justice-oriented, poetic, and socio-political than traditional suicidology, allowing suicide prevention efforts to capitalize on the strengths of a group or community. Prioritizing local knowledge and social change, community-based participatory approaches are particularly effective for use with vulnerable and marginalized groups, and often emphasize personal and community agency. Using a case example from an Inuit community, we illustrate how the success of a community intervention effort must involve an array of efforts to frame suicide prevention within the context of community history and needs and must involve community members and support at all stages of implementation. We argue that, by respecting and considering sociocultural determinants of health and what they mean to community members, and by promoting community growth through suicide prevention, efforts to prevent suicide will be increasingly value-driven, motivated and sustained. As such, this critical framework can support a positive psychological approach, by providing a base for understanding the needs, strengths, and goals for growth of a community suicide prevention effort.
This article provides an overview of several core theoretical and practical aspects of participat... more This article provides an overview of several core theoretical and practical aspects of participatory action research (PAR). An effort is made to define PAR and the types of work that fall under that rubric. Historical underpinnings, roles of the individuals involved, contexts, methods, and the challenges and benefits of this mode of inquiry are discussed. The authors argue that the approach and mindset of the researcher, referred to here as a type of "attitude," are key in the development of a successful and genuine participatory process. The authors situate PAR methodology within psychology and, more specifically, propose it as an approach to knowing that has the potential to make significant contributions in areas relevant to counseling psychology.
This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in... more This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in which they describe their experiences with, and understanding of, suicide. A history of attempted suicide was reported by 76% of the participants and the analysis revealed themes of isolation, rejection/betrayal, lack of control, and most centrally, low self-worth as forming the basis of their experiences concerning suicide. Additionally it was found that trading sex, in which most participants had been or were currently involved, was linked with their suicidal experiences and may account for the high attempt rate. Finally, variables related to suicide were found that have not been examined previously in the literature on street youth, including loss of control, assault during prostituted sex, drug abuse as a "slow suicide," and breakups in intimate relationships.
University of British Columbia Press eBooks, Jul 1, 2009
... Collective Agency as Subjective Well-Being MICHAEL J. KRAL AND LORI IDLOUT In Laurence J. Kir... more ... Collective Agency as Subjective Well-Being MICHAEL J. KRAL AND LORI IDLOUT In Laurence J. Kirmayer & Gail G. Valaskakis ... In a review of suicide prevention programs for Native American and Alaskan Native communities, Middlebrook and colleagues (2001) concluded ...
This chapter examines the challenges faced by Inuit youth today. It reviews approaches that are b... more This chapter examines the challenges faced by Inuit youth today. It reviews approaches that are beneficial to Inuit and indigenous youth. A number of Inuit adults are interviewed about their views of the future of Inuit youth. In addition, the chapter discusses themes that emerged from speaking with Inuit and non-Inuit. Parenting has changed remarkably, and many said that youth and adults should spend more time together and speak more with each other. Today, Inuit youth and adults are basically ignoring each other. Schools and education should be improved, made more relevant to Inuit youth. Inuit culture is also very important for Inuit youth, and they benefit greatly by learning about and practicing their culture.
Throughout the world, suicides account for a significant number of premature deaths each year. Ac... more Throughout the world, suicides account for a significant number of premature deaths each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one million people die by suicide annually, representing a global mortality rate of 16/100,000 (WHO, 2013). Each suicide is estimated to personally affect at least seven individuals (Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, 2004). Suicide, like many other complex social problems, is often a subproblem of other, larger problems (Brown, Harris, and Russell, 2010). For example, newspaper headlines such as “Greek woes drive up suicide rate” (Smith, 2011) or “Rape, bullying led to N.S. teen’s death says mom” (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2013) attest to the fact that suicide cannot be easily understood in singular, static, or acontextual terms. On the contrary, suicide and suicidal behaviours are deeply embedded in particular social, political, ethical, and historical contexts. As such, they are rarely amenable to cause–effect reasoning, quick fixes, or technical solutions. In short, suicide is a complex problem that is always “on the move.” Not surprisingly, given its complexity, the evidence about how to prevent suicide and suicidal behaviours is rather sparse (DeLeo, 2002; Gould and Kramer, 2001; Mann et al., 2005; Thompson, 2005). We contend that this provides an opening for fresh thinking and justifies the consideration of alternative approaches.
The research method in suicide studies has been primarily quantitative, and suicide remains witho... more The research method in suicide studies has been primarily quantitative, and suicide remains without an adequate or accepted general theory that incorporates multiple disciplines and perspectives. Dependence on quantitative research limits an understanding of the complexity of suicide. This article argues for the use of mixed methods for suicide research. Three key topics in suicide research are highlighted: risk factors for suicide, efficacy of suicide prevention, and cultural factors in suicide and suicide prevention. Mixed methods will expand knowledge of suicide by integrating theory-based variables and subjectivity as objects of inquiry. Mixed methods will allow for a broadening of research questions, more substantive understanding, and are necessary for a multidimensional and multidisciplinary suicidology.
Twenty adolescents who had made suicide attempts were compared with 20 nonpsychiatric control sub... more Twenty adolescents who had made suicide attempts were compared with 20 nonpsychiatric control subjects on measures of problem solving, stress, and coping. The suicidal group did not show evidence of "rigid" thinking or of deficits in the ability to generate solutions to standardized interpersonal problems. However, they did report recent histories of more severe life stress and had inaccurate appraisal of the extent to which stressful events could be controlled. Although suicidal patients were able to generate as many adaptive strategies as control subjects for coping with their own most severe recent real-life stressor, they actually used fewer. They were also more likely to identify maladaptive behaviors as ways of coping. These findings support a transactional model of adolescent suicidal behavior, whereby inaccuracies in the appraisal aspects of problem solving (but not in the solution-generation aspects) in the face of high life stress lead to a reduction in the use of adaptive efforts to cope.
Suicidology has a problem. After more than a century of research on suicide, starting with Morsel... more Suicidology has a problem. After more than a century of research on suicide, starting with Morselli and Durkheim, there is no unifying or commonly agreedupon theory of this phenomenon. While researchers and practitioners generally agree with Shneidman (1985) that suicide is a multidimensional malaise, the key issues remain to be worked out: how are the neurobiological, psychiatric, psychological, phenomenological, sociological, and cultural dimensions of suicide linked, and which of these dimensions is more or less important, for whom? In this book, Joiner offers a psychological theory of suicide, noting that both science and theory have generally been weak in suicidology. Of the major theorists of suicide over the last century, namely Durkheim, Menninger, Shneidman, Beck, Linehan, and Baumeister, all – with the exception of Durkheim – have developed psychological theories. Joiner’s theory is also psychological, and as such comes with its own set of ontological and epistemological assumptions, including the conceptual imperatives of universalism and cross-cultural generalization. In brief, Joiner’s theory of suicide has three primary components. Two of these are supported by significant amounts of previous research, but the third is new. Perceived failed belonging and perceived burdensomeness are the more familiar components of Joiner’s theory. However, Joiner assigns a much greater significance to these factors, placing them at the top of the list of numerous risk factors for suicide. In his model, the obstruction of these needs – belonging and being effective or competent in relation to others – creates a desire for death. Baumeister and Book Reviews
This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in... more This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in which they describe their experiences with, and understanding of, suicide. A history of attempted suicide was reported by 76% of the participants and the analysis revealed themes of isolation, rejection/betrayal, lack of control, and most centrally, low self-worth as forming the basis of their experiences concerning suicide. Additionally it was found that trading sex, in which most participants had been or were currently involved, was linked with their suicidal experiences and may account for the high attempt rate. Finally, variables related to suicide were found that have not been examined previously in the literature on street youth, including loss of control, assault during prostituted sex, drug abuse as a "slow suicide," and breakups in intimate relationships.
American Journal of Community Psychology, Dec 22, 2017
Highlights • Participatory action research (PAR) remains an underutilized methodology in communit... more Highlights • Participatory action research (PAR) remains an underutilized methodology in community mental health. • PAR embodies the type of approach needed to improve the system-level impacts of community psychology. • The contexts of PAR are changing and how PAR is understood and taught need to change with them.
Qualitative methods are the investigative tools of choice for the field of cultural psychology, i... more Qualitative methods are the investigative tools of choice for the field of cultural psychology, in which the study of meaning is central. The process of cultural psychological research calls for an approach that emphasizes the quality of the relationship between researchers and participants. We argue for the importance of this relationship in the development of the validity and usefulness of such work. Methods within this framework often include dialectic communication, respect, participatory partnership, inductive reasoning, and the taking of extra time as necessary. In this paper, research projects with urban Canadian street youth, Inuit prison inmates, and Inuit community members experiencing a youth suicide epidemic are provided as case studies that highlight the relational motif in qualitative research.
Although traditional suicide prevention programs have had moderate effects in reducing suicide, t... more Although traditional suicide prevention programs have had moderate effects in reducing suicide, there is a need for community-based approaches that embrace positive psychological principles, such as community empowerment, and which considers community needs and values. A new paradigm, critical suicidology, is discussed, which is more contextualized, subjective, historical, ecological, social justice-oriented, poetic, and socio-political than traditional suicidology, allowing suicide prevention efforts to capitalize on the strengths of a group or community. Prioritizing local knowledge and social change, community-based participatory approaches are particularly effective for use with vulnerable and marginalized groups, and often emphasize personal and community agency. Using a case example from an Inuit community, we illustrate how the success of a community intervention effort must involve an array of efforts to frame suicide prevention within the context of community history and needs and must involve community members and support at all stages of implementation. We argue that, by respecting and considering sociocultural determinants of health and what they mean to community members, and by promoting community growth through suicide prevention, efforts to prevent suicide will be increasingly value-driven, motivated and sustained. As such, this critical framework can support a positive psychological approach, by providing a base for understanding the needs, strengths, and goals for growth of a community suicide prevention effort.
This article provides an overview of several core theoretical and practical aspects of participat... more This article provides an overview of several core theoretical and practical aspects of participatory action research (PAR). An effort is made to define PAR and the types of work that fall under that rubric. Historical underpinnings, roles of the individuals involved, contexts, methods, and the challenges and benefits of this mode of inquiry are discussed. The authors argue that the approach and mindset of the researcher, referred to here as a type of "attitude," are key in the development of a successful and genuine participatory process. The authors situate PAR methodology within psychology and, more specifically, propose it as an approach to knowing that has the potential to make significant contributions in areas relevant to counseling psychology.
This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in... more This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis of the narratives of 29 street youth in which they describe their experiences with, and understanding of, suicide. A history of attempted suicide was reported by 76% of the participants and the analysis revealed themes of isolation, rejection/betrayal, lack of control, and most centrally, low self-worth as forming the basis of their experiences concerning suicide. Additionally it was found that trading sex, in which most participants had been or were currently involved, was linked with their suicidal experiences and may account for the high attempt rate. Finally, variables related to suicide were found that have not been examined previously in the literature on street youth, including loss of control, assault during prostituted sex, drug abuse as a "slow suicide," and breakups in intimate relationships.
University of British Columbia Press eBooks, Jul 1, 2009
... Collective Agency as Subjective Well-Being MICHAEL J. KRAL AND LORI IDLOUT In Laurence J. Kir... more ... Collective Agency as Subjective Well-Being MICHAEL J. KRAL AND LORI IDLOUT In Laurence J. Kirmayer & Gail G. Valaskakis ... In a review of suicide prevention programs for Native American and Alaskan Native communities, Middlebrook and colleagues (2001) concluded ...
This chapter examines the challenges faced by Inuit youth today. It reviews approaches that are b... more This chapter examines the challenges faced by Inuit youth today. It reviews approaches that are beneficial to Inuit and indigenous youth. A number of Inuit adults are interviewed about their views of the future of Inuit youth. In addition, the chapter discusses themes that emerged from speaking with Inuit and non-Inuit. Parenting has changed remarkably, and many said that youth and adults should spend more time together and speak more with each other. Today, Inuit youth and adults are basically ignoring each other. Schools and education should be improved, made more relevant to Inuit youth. Inuit culture is also very important for Inuit youth, and they benefit greatly by learning about and practicing their culture.
Throughout the world, suicides account for a significant number of premature deaths each year. Ac... more Throughout the world, suicides account for a significant number of premature deaths each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one million people die by suicide annually, representing a global mortality rate of 16/100,000 (WHO, 2013). Each suicide is estimated to personally affect at least seven individuals (Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, 2004). Suicide, like many other complex social problems, is often a subproblem of other, larger problems (Brown, Harris, and Russell, 2010). For example, newspaper headlines such as “Greek woes drive up suicide rate” (Smith, 2011) or “Rape, bullying led to N.S. teen’s death says mom” (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2013) attest to the fact that suicide cannot be easily understood in singular, static, or acontextual terms. On the contrary, suicide and suicidal behaviours are deeply embedded in particular social, political, ethical, and historical contexts. As such, they are rarely amenable to cause–effect reasoning, quick fixes, or technical solutions. In short, suicide is a complex problem that is always “on the move.” Not surprisingly, given its complexity, the evidence about how to prevent suicide and suicidal behaviours is rather sparse (DeLeo, 2002; Gould and Kramer, 2001; Mann et al., 2005; Thompson, 2005). We contend that this provides an opening for fresh thinking and justifies the consideration of alternative approaches.
The research method in suicide studies has been primarily quantitative, and suicide remains witho... more The research method in suicide studies has been primarily quantitative, and suicide remains without an adequate or accepted general theory that incorporates multiple disciplines and perspectives. Dependence on quantitative research limits an understanding of the complexity of suicide. This article argues for the use of mixed methods for suicide research. Three key topics in suicide research are highlighted: risk factors for suicide, efficacy of suicide prevention, and cultural factors in suicide and suicide prevention. Mixed methods will expand knowledge of suicide by integrating theory-based variables and subjectivity as objects of inquiry. Mixed methods will allow for a broadening of research questions, more substantive understanding, and are necessary for a multidimensional and multidisciplinary suicidology.
Twenty adolescents who had made suicide attempts were compared with 20 nonpsychiatric control sub... more Twenty adolescents who had made suicide attempts were compared with 20 nonpsychiatric control subjects on measures of problem solving, stress, and coping. The suicidal group did not show evidence of "rigid" thinking or of deficits in the ability to generate solutions to standardized interpersonal problems. However, they did report recent histories of more severe life stress and had inaccurate appraisal of the extent to which stressful events could be controlled. Although suicidal patients were able to generate as many adaptive strategies as control subjects for coping with their own most severe recent real-life stressor, they actually used fewer. They were also more likely to identify maladaptive behaviors as ways of coping. These findings support a transactional model of adolescent suicidal behavior, whereby inaccuracies in the appraisal aspects of problem solving (but not in the solution-generation aspects) in the face of high life stress lead to a reduction in the use of adaptive efforts to cope.
Suicidology has a problem. After more than a century of research on suicide, starting with Morsel... more Suicidology has a problem. After more than a century of research on suicide, starting with Morselli and Durkheim, there is no unifying or commonly agreedupon theory of this phenomenon. While researchers and practitioners generally agree with Shneidman (1985) that suicide is a multidimensional malaise, the key issues remain to be worked out: how are the neurobiological, psychiatric, psychological, phenomenological, sociological, and cultural dimensions of suicide linked, and which of these dimensions is more or less important, for whom? In this book, Joiner offers a psychological theory of suicide, noting that both science and theory have generally been weak in suicidology. Of the major theorists of suicide over the last century, namely Durkheim, Menninger, Shneidman, Beck, Linehan, and Baumeister, all – with the exception of Durkheim – have developed psychological theories. Joiner’s theory is also psychological, and as such comes with its own set of ontological and epistemological assumptions, including the conceptual imperatives of universalism and cross-cultural generalization. In brief, Joiner’s theory of suicide has three primary components. Two of these are supported by significant amounts of previous research, but the third is new. Perceived failed belonging and perceived burdensomeness are the more familiar components of Joiner’s theory. However, Joiner assigns a much greater significance to these factors, placing them at the top of the list of numerous risk factors for suicide. In his model, the obstruction of these needs – belonging and being effective or competent in relation to others – creates a desire for death. Baumeister and Book Reviews
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