Suicide Attempt in Young People: A Signal for Long-term Health Care and Social Needs

Suicidal behavior has increased since the onset of the global recession, a trend that may have long-term health and social implications

Multidimensional health locus of control beliefs and psychological health for a sample of mothers

Five multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) types for 772 women whose children are enrolled in a longitudinal study of their health and development were identified. The MHLC is composed of an internal and two external dimensions (chance and powerful others). The five independent MHLC clusters were: pure internal; believer in control; pure chance; yea-sayer; and nay-sayer. Women with high scores on the three dimensions of the MHLC (yea-sayer) compared with the rest of the sample were significantly more likely to be from a lower socio-economics status, score lower on a general verbal intelligence test and higher on the Neuroticism and Lie Scales of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. They rated their overall health as significantly poorer, and reported more symptoms of depression compared with the other groups. A pure internal locus of control was strongly associated with the report of good health. Women with a strong belief in internal and powerful other loci of control were significantly more likely to have received treatment for their depression compared with other groups. Help-seeking for children's problem behaviour did not vary significantly with MHLC groups. The present study replicated five out of six MHLC types identified in an earlier study, and established the external validity of the MHLC types on measures of health status. The findings support the use of MHLC types in future research on health locus of control.multidimensional health locus of control mothers health status MHLC clusters

Stability in the structure of health locus of control among adolescents

The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scales have been widely used as a measure of health beliefs in adult populations. In a longitudinal study of an adolescent cohort, we examined some of the properties of the MHLC; whether there are changes in the locus of beliefs between the ages of 13 and 15 years; and the extent of gender differences at the two ages. The results provided some degree of support for the previously proposed structure of the MHLC, but showed correlations among the subscales that were higher than might be expected, and lower alpha reliability coefficients than have been reported for adult samples. There was also evidence of downward changes in scores for the 'chance' and 'powerful others' scales, as well as differences in the factor structures of females and males at age 15 years. In contrast to the structure of health beliefs found with some adult samples, 'chance' is a prominent, independent dimension of beliefs about control of health among adolescents. The independence of the 'internal control' and 'powerful others' scales seem to be a function of both age and gender. As health behaviours are multidetermined, it is concluded that the MHLC measure would be useful as part of an index of health status. 1995 The British Psychological Societ

A descriptive study of intentional self‐poisoning from New Zealand national registry data

Abstract Objective: Understanding which population groups intentionally poison themselves by overdose and which substances are used are key to developing prevention efforts for such injuries. This paper uses Ministry of Health (MOH) data to explore the demographic characteristics of those who intentionally self‐poison and the substances used, identifies limitations of existing data collections and makes recommendations for the future. Methods: MOH mortality data from 2000 to 2012, and public hospital presentation data from 2000–2014 of cases of intentional self‐poisoning (ISP), and poisoning of undetermined intent (UDP), were examined. Results: Men were more at risk of fatal intentional poisonings, while young women and people from deprived areas were predominant in hospital presentations for ISP and UDP. While ICD‐10 categories were available, there was limited information in the majority of MOH data about specific substances used in the poisonings. Conclusions: The current format of MOH data indicates that developing interventions to help young people and those living in deprived areas may be useful. Finding specific solutions is challenging when only limited nationwide substance‐specific poisoning information is available. Implications for public health: Including specific substances in national data collections is important for addressing the public health challenge of intentional overdose morbidity and mortality

Exploring the relationship between trout fishing and wellbeing: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand trout anglers

ABSTRACTInternationally, there is growing interest in understanding the potential for recreational fishing to enhance the wellbeing of participants. To date, no studies have investigated the potential for recreational trout fishing to influence wellbeing in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. To address this gap, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with anglers in the local community and explored their understanding of wellbeing and how they percieve trout fishing contributes to their wellbeing. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, analysed thematically, and examined using the Te Whare Tapa Whā model of holistic wellbeing. For trout anglers, wellbeing incorporated mental, physical, spiritual, and relational health. Trout fishing was perceived as enhancing these elements of wellbeing by fostering positive states of being; cultivating connection with self, others, place and nature; allowing for disconnection from stressors; and providing physical exercise. These exploratory findings highlight the potential for trout fishing to enhance all dimensions of holistic wellbeing within the Te Whare Tapa Whā model and a need for further research in this area

A 32 year longitudinal study of child and adolescent pathways to well-being in adulthood

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relative importance of child and adolescent social and academic pathways to well-being in adulthood (32-years) indicated by a sense of meaning, social engagement, positive coping and prosocial values. Data were drawn from a 15 wave (32-year) longitudinal study of the health and development of around 1000 New Zealanders (Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, New Zealand). Moderate continuity in social connectedness (0.38) and high continuity in academic ability (0.90) was observed across childhood and adolescence. Adolescent social connectedness was a better predictor of adult well-being than academic achievement (0.62 vs. 0.12). There was evidence of an indirect pathway from adolescent academic achievement to adult well-being through social connectedness (0.29). Indicators of well-being in adulthood appear to be better explained by social connection rather than academic competencies pathways. Implications for promoting longer term well-being during the school years are discussed

Suicide attempt in young people: a signal for long-term health care and social needs.

ImportanceSuicidal behavior has increased since the onset of the global recession, a trend that may have long-term health and social implications.ObjectiveTo test whether suicide attempts among young people signal increased risk for later poor health and social functioning above and beyond a preexisting psychiatric disorder.DesignWe followed up a cohort of young people and assessed multiple aspects of their health and social functioning as they approached midlife. Outcomes among individuals who had self-reported a suicide attempt up through age 24 years (young suicide attempters) were compared with those who reported no attempt through age 24 years (nonattempters). Psychiatric history and social class were controlled for.Setting and participantsThe population-representative Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, which involved 1037 birth cohort members comprising 91 young suicide attempters and 946 nonattempters, 95% of whom were followed up to age 38 years.Main outcomes and measuresOutcomes were selected to represent significant individual and societal costs: mental health, physical health, harm toward others, and need for support.ResultsAs adults approaching midlife, young suicide attempters were significantly more likely to have persistent mental health problems (eg, depression, substance dependence, and additional suicide attempts) compared with nonattempters. They were also more likely to have physical health problems (eg, metabolic syndrome and elevated inflammation). They engaged in more violence (eg, violent crime and intimate partner abuse) and needed more social support (eg, long-term welfare receipt and unemployment). Furthermore, they reported being lonelier and less satisfied with their lives. These associations remained after adjustment for youth psychiatric diagnoses and social class.Conclusions and relevanceMany young suicide attempters remain vulnerable to costly health and social problems into midlife. As rates of suicidal behavior rise with the continuing global recession, additional suicide prevention efforts and long-term monitoring and after-care services are needed