What does psychological autopsy study tell us about charcoal burning suicide--a new and contagious method in Asia?

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2009 Dec;39(6):633-8. doi: 10.1521/suli.2009.39.6.633.

Abstract

Charcoal burning suicides in Hong Kong between 2002-2004 in the 15 to 59-year-old age group were investigated using the psychological autopsy method. The psychopathological profiles of charcoal burning suicides (N = 53) were compared against "other suicides" (N = 97). The two groups did not differ significantly in the prevalence of DSM-IV axis I diagnoses with the exception of schizophrenic spectrum disorder which was less frequently associated with charcoal burning suicides. Score on "neuroticism" in the NEO-five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was significantly higher in victims of charcoal burning suicide. There was also a trend toward higher score on "conscientiousness" in the NEO-FFI among charcoal burners than victims of other suicide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / epidemiology*
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / psychology
  • Cause of Death / trends*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality*
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Factors
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires