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Adolescent suicide clusters: evidence, mechanisms and prevention
1University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Adolescent cluster suicides, a significant portion of teenage suicides, are examined using an infectious disease model. This review explores transmission, susceptibility, and preventive strategies for cluster suicide prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Cluster suicides represent approximately 5% of all teenage suicides in the USA.
- Hypothesized suicide clusters often lack statistical verification.
- Understanding the mechanisms of adolescent cluster suicides is crucial for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review potential mechanisms driving adolescent cluster suicides.
- To apply the "infectious disease model" to understand suicide contagion.
- To outline preventive strategies for adolescent cluster suicides.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of adolescent suicide clusters.
- Application of epidemiological concepts (host susceptibility, transmission, virulence, dose-dependency) to suicide contagion.
- Analysis of existing and proposed preventive measures.
Main Results:
- The "infectious disease model" provides a framework for understanding suicide contagion.
- Key factors include host susceptibility, transmission modes, virulence, and dose-dependency.
- Prevention strategies encompass primary prevention, media guidelines, and community postvention.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent cluster suicides can be conceptualized through an infectious disease lens.
- Effective prevention requires addressing individual vulnerabilities and social contagion.
- A multi-faceted approach including primary prevention, media responsibility, and postvention is essential.