Risk Factors of Suicide Death Based on Psychological Autopsy Method; a Case-Control Study

Introduction: Investigation in each community can contribute to understanding the key factors involved in suicide death and its prevention. The present study aimed to investigate suicide death risk factors based on psychological autopsy method. Methods: The present case-control study was conducted from April to September 2017, in Tehran, Iran, to compare two groups of people; those who died by suicide and controls (over the age of 18 years). Data were collected by one interviewer via Structured Clinical Interviews (SCID-I), questionnaires used in the SUPREMISS study, and the Dickman impulsivity scale. Results: Each group consisted of 40 individuals. There was no significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of all demographic variables except for the level of education (p = 0.06)  and occupational status (p = 0.009). The frequency of previous history of suicide attempt (p = 0.001), family history of suicide (p = 0.003), DSM IV Axis I disorders (p = 0.006), and substance and alcohol consumption (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in the case group. The most commonly diagnosed disorders included MDD (45%) and substance use disorders (30%), respectively. The most common methods used in suicide included hanging (32.5%), and Aluminum phosphide poisoning (32.5%) known as rice tablet. The strongest predictor of suicide death was the deceased person's Previous history of suicide attempt (OR= 9.3; p = 0.04), smoking (OR= 6.4; p = 0.006), unemployment (OR= 5; p = 0.02), and DSM IV axis I disorders (OR= 3.8; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Previous suicide attempt, smoking, unemployment, and suffering from at least one mental disorder were the significant predictors of suicide death. Among mental disorders, major depressive disorder and substance use disorder were the most prevalent mental health problems

Religious Orientation (Internal and External) Effects on Aged Mental Health

Objective: The purpose of present study is to investigate "religious orientation (internal and external) effects on aged mental health". Materials & Methods: In an expost-facto and correlational study 230 male and female residents of elderly centers affiliated to welfare organization and public places (such as mosques and park) in which the non–resident aged persons gather, were selected through clustered randomized sampling. َAt first, the subjects were screened from cognitive disorders. Then, they completed GHQ-28, Beck Depression Inventory and Religious Attitude Test. The data were analysed through Pearson correlatioal Test and Mann-Whitney. Results: The results revealed that there is a significant correlation between elder depression and mental health. In the other words, the higher scores on external religious orientation, the higher scores on mental health problems and rates of depression. The more trends toward internal religious orientation, the lower rate of depression and mental health problems. Also, there was a meaningfull correlation between elder religious orientation and their mental health and depression rate. In other words, there was a meaningful correlation between mental health and depression rate of resident and non- resident elders. In addition women had more external religious orientation, while men had higher rates of internal religious orientation.  Conclusion: External religious belief had meaningful correlation with mental disorders and depression, and internal religious belief had meaningful correlation with mental health. Mental disorders and depression are more prevalent among resident elder than the non-residents, and also the resident elders have more external religious orientation

The psychometric properties of the of the Persian version of the Screen for adult anxiety related disorders (SCAARED) in patients with anxiety disorders

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Screen for adult anxiety related disorders (SCAARED) in Tehran. Method The present study was a descriptive‐survey method and a cross‐sectional method. The present research population consists of patients referring to hospitals and psychiatric clinics in Tehran, as well as male and female students in Tehran. The sample of the present study included 300 participants (150 patients with a diagnosis of anxiety disorders and 150 non‐clinical samples), who were selected by random sampling method. Inclusion criteria included age 18 to 50, minimum diploma, lack of mental retardation, and lack of acute physical illnesses such as cancer or severe pain. The participants, after completing the demographic questionnaire and conducting a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐5 Disorders–Clinical Version (SCID‐5‐CV), completed the SCAARED and the Personal Wellbeing Index—Adults (PWI‐A). Finally, face and content validity and construct validity, test–retest reliability, Cronbach's alpha, and factor analysis were used. Results The results of the present study confirmed the face validity and content of the present scale. A review of Cronbach's standardized alpha showed that SCAARED has a reliability of 0.966, and therefore, the Persian version of these questionnaires is a reliable tool. Also, the results showed a correlation between the two implementations of the questionnaire; in addition to the strong correlation at the level (p < .01) between the factors of the questionnaire and the factors with the total score, there was a strong correlation between the first and second implementation in four factors and the overall score. Therefore, it can be concluded that the SCAARED has good test–retest reliability. Also, there is a positive correlation between the factors and the overall score of the SCAARED with anxiety disorders based on Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐5 Disorders (p < .01), which indicates the favorable convergent validity of the SCAARED questionnaire. There is a negative correlation between the factors and the overall score of the SCAARED with the PWI‐A at the level (p < .01), which indicates the favorable divergent validity of the SCAARED, and the results of exploratory factor analysis of the questionnaire were confirmed. Conclusion The Persian version of the SCAARED is a tool with appropriate validity and reliability