Presenters at two research seminars, "Risk Factors for Suicide and Medically Serious Suicide Attempts Among Alcoholics" and "Moderators of the Relationship Between Alcohol Dependence and Suicide and Medically Serious Suicide Attempts" will discuss new research findings in this area at the American Association of Suicidology’s (AAS) 36th Annual Conference on Saturday, April 26,2003 at 3:30 p.m. at the Inn at Loretto (Acoma North conference room) in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Research results from the work of Kenneth R. Conner, Psy.D., MPH (2003 recipient of the prestigious AAS Edwin S. Shneidman Award); Annette L. Beautrais, Ph.D.; and Yeates Conwell, M.D. (1994 Shneidman Award recipient) was gathered from post-suicide psychological autopsies.
"This is the first case-control postmortem study of risk factors for suicide in alcoholics using comparable research measures and methods," notes Dr. Conner of the risk factors-related study cited above. "The most important findings were that interpersonal factors including marital and other partner difficulties were associated with suicide risk in this population. This extends prior uncontrolled findings."
Additionally, Dr. Conner adds that the second moderators-related study examined factors that amplify risk associated with alcoholism. Results showed that older alcoholics are at greatest risk, a finding not previously reported in a statistically comparable study.
These two research studies were undertaken in part because while alcoholism is an established risk factor for suicide, data on conditions that distinguish alcoholics at particularly high risk for suicide are meager. Other research findings to be presented by Dr. Conner and colleagues include:
- Medically serious suicide attempters with alcoholism are more likely to have a mood disorder and financial difficulties than control subjects — i.e. community dwellers with alcoholism but without suicide attempts.
- Alcoholics who complete suicide are older, and more likely to be male, have a mood disorder, partner-relationship difficulties, and other interpersonal life events than control subjects.
- Suicide prevention efforts in alcoholics must include a focus on depression as well as interpersonal factors including partner-relationship difficulties.
To interview Dr. Conner or to learn more about these new research findings, contact Denise Pazur, AAS Public Affairs, at 920-207-8747 at the conference (through April 26) or post-conference at this same number. Dr. Conner can be reached after April 28 at 716-273-5136 or at kenneth_conner@urmc.roch.edu.
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS), based in Washington, DC, is the oldest and largest scientific and professional organization in the world representing the field of suicide prevention and suicidology (the study of suicide). Founded in 1968, AAS works to advance an understanding of suicide, its causes and its prevention, through researching and implementing strategies for reducing risk of suicide among all populations. The organization publishes the oldest peer-reviewed journal in suicidology, "Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior." AAS has a diverse membership base that includes researchers, clinicians, educators, public health specialists, crisis workers, students, and "survivors of suicide," that is, those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Through its five divisions, AAS works to forge public and private partnerships that will increase the focus on suicide as a public health issue and best practices in suicide prevention. Fore more information about AAS, its membership, mission and the 36th Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology, visit www.suicidology.org.