Suicidal Behaviour: Assessment of People-At-Risk

Suicidal Behaviour: Assessment of People-At-Risk provides a psychometric analysis of various aspects associated with suicidal risk assessment to understand the suicidal personality and predict suicidal behaviour. It includes articles by experts in the field covering suicide research carried out globally. The collection is divided into two sections-the first focuses on the theoretical issues and the second on the applied and practical issues related to suicidal behaviour among specific populations. The main features of the articles include: - the diverse aspects of the problem in various socio-cultural contexts - prevention strategies, along with analyses of varied paradigms of suicidal behaviour, for the benefit of mental health practitioners and researchers - a focussed discussion on specific population - a comprehensive review of research in the field - reviews of suicide risk assessment tools The discussion begins with a contextualisation of the psychological factors implicated in the aetiology of suicidal behaviour with the help of a biopsychosocial model and is followed by an empirical analysis. The theoretical issues are then examined from various perspectives. This compilation will serve as a supplementary reader for students of psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric social work and counselling. It will also be useful for mental health professionals as well as those undertaking research on suicide.

Table of Contents:
Foreword - Robert Hogan Preface PART ONE: RISK ASSESSMENT: THEORETICAL ISSUES Psychological Perspectives on Suicidal Behaviour - Rory C O′Connor Empirically Based Assessment of Suicide Risk - Chad E Morrow, Craig J Bryan and Kathryn Kangler Appolonio Neurobiological Basis of Suicidal Ideation - Jitendra Kumar Trivedi and Sannidhya Varma Problem-Solving Ability and Repeated Deliberate Self-Harm - Carmel McAuliffe Suicide and Homicide: Theoretical Issues - Swati Mukherjee, Updesh Kumar and Manas K Mandal Cultural Issues in Suicide Risk Assessment - Erminia Colucci Gender Issues in Suicide Risk-Factor Assessment - Peter Osvath, Viktor Voros and Sandor Fekete Developmental Issues in Risk Factor Assessment - Kimberly A Van Orden and Alec L Miller Reporting Suicide: Impact on Suicidal Behaviour - Farah Kidwai PART TWO: ASSESSMENT: PEOPLE-AT-RISK Suicide: Its Assessment and Prediction - Pritha Mukhopadhyay Substance Use and Suicidal Behaviour - Nishi Misra, Amri Sabharwal and Updesh Kumar Suicide Risk in Bipolar Disorder - Maurizio Pompili et al Depression and Suicide - Eva Schaller and Manfred Wolfersdorf The Suicidal Soldier - Lars Mehlum and Latha Nrugham Suicidal Ideation and Behavior among Asian Adolescents - Angel Nga-man Leung, Cathy Yui-chi Fong and Catherine Alexandra McBride-Chang Index

About the Author :
Updesh Kumar, Ph.D., is a Scientist ‘F’ and in the chair of the Head, Mental Health Division at Defence Institute of Psychological Research, R&D Organization, Ministry of Defence, Delhi, India. Dr Kumar obtained his Doctorate degree from Punjab University, Chandigarh. With more than 23 years of experience as a scientist in R&D organization, he specializes in the area of suicidal behavior, personality assessment, and personnel selection and has developed a number of psychological tests and assessment tools. Dr Kumar has been a psychological assessor (psychologist) in various services selection boards for eight years for the selection of officers in Indian Armed Forces. He is a certified psychologist by The British Psychological Society with level ‘A’ and level ‘B’ Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing. He has to his credit many important research projects relating to the Armed Forces. Dr Kumar has edited four quality volumes on ‘Recent Developments in Psychology,’ ‘Counseling: A Practical Approach,’ ‘Suicidal Behaviour: Assessment of People at Risk’ (SAGE Publications), and recently ‘Countering Terrorism: Psychosocial Strategies’ published by SAGE Publications, ‘Positive Psychology: Applications in Work, Health and Well-being’ (in press, Pearson Publication) and ‘Suicidal Behaviour: Underlying Dynamics’ (in press, Routledge Publication, UK). Dr Kumar has authored manuals on ‘Suicide and Fratricide: Dynamics and Management’ for defense personnel, ‘Managing Emotions in Daily Life & at Work Place’ for general population, ‘Overcoming Obsolescence & Becoming Creative in R&D Environment’ for R&D organizations, and ‘Self-Help Techniques in Military Settings.’ He has authored more than 50 other academic publications in the form of research papers, journal articles, and book chapters and represented his institute at national and international level. He has been the recipient of Defence R&D organization’s (DRDO) Technology Group Award in 2001 and 2009, and Professor Manju Thakur Memorial Award 2009 by Indian Academy of Psychology (IAAP). He was also conferred with the DRDO’s Best Popular Science Communication Award 2009 by Hon’ble Defence Minister of India and DRDO Technology Day Award, 2012 by Hon’ble Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister. Dr Kumar has been recently conferred upon with the prestigious DRDO’s Scientist of the Year Award 2013 by the Government of India.   Manas K. Mandal, Ph.D., is currently Director General (Life Sciences), Defence R&D Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Delhi. Dr Mandal obtained his postgraduate and Doctorate degrees from Calcutta University in 1979 and 1984, respectively. He has completed his Postdoctoral Research Program at Delware University (Fulbright Fellow), USA in 1986–1987 and at Waterloo University (Shastri & NSERC Fellow), Canada in 1993–1994. Dr Mandal was a Professor of Psychology at Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He was also a visiting professor at Kyushu University, Japan in 1997. During 2003, he was a Fulbright Visiting Lecturer, Harvard University, USA. He has been awarded various Research Fellowships and Scientific Awards such as International Scientific Exchange Award (Canada), Seymour Kety Grant (USA). Recipient of four prestigious awards from the Prime Minister of India, Young Scientist Award (1986), Agni Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance (2005), Scientist-of-the Year Award (2006), Technology Spin-Off Award (2007). Dr Mandal has to his credit seven books, and over 100 research papers/chapters published in peer-reviewed journals/books. These researches are cited in more than 125 international journals and books.  

Review :
[The book] has been designed to cover suicide ideation holistically. Diverse paradigms of suicidal behavior along with the suggested prevention strategies are discussed in an effort to provide a scope for widening the horizon of mental health professionals and researchers working in this area so as to reduce the suicidal behavior across the world. The issues being raised in this book will help promote more research in this area and prove beneficial for all…The volume advances our understanding about the phenomenon of suicide. It provides an interactive framework for thinking about issues involved in suicide ideation, epidemiology and prevention. Suicidal Behavior—Assessment of People at Risk is a must read for professionals in the social, medical and mental health fields. It’s a comprehensive compilation of essays written by eminent scientists of international caliber. It’s an analytical and empirical study of the best modern thinking on the prediction, exploration and potential amelioration of suicide… This volume gives a total picture of both research and methodology to study, prevent and treat suicidal behaviors. It is suggested that to understand and get a complete picture of SUICIDE one must study this book thoroughly. The authors, who are experts in their fields, have dealt with each topic in a comprehensive, but succinct manner… The book is well organized, the get-up attractive and the price reasonable… The simple language and practical approach followed are an added bonus. This book is a useful read for professionals caring for people at risk of suicide.