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Examines work-family commitment and attitudes toward feminism in a medical student sample. Results indicated no significant gender differences in commitment levels. Third-year students reported more family commitment than did students in lower years. Women reported more positive attitudes towards feminism than did men. (Author/JDM)

Examines the relationship of attitudes and cognitions supportive of sexual-aggression perpetration and gender-role conflict to self-reported, sexually aggressive behavior for male college students (N=191). Sexually aggressive students evidenced significantly higher scores on attitudinal measures and the restrictive affectionate behavior between men subscale of the Gender Role Conflict Scale. (Author/MKA)

Investigates counselor-education and counseling-psychology programs (N=84) to determine the academic hiring policies and projections for employment in the next 10 years. Results show that possessing a doctorate in the specific program, minority-group status, and graduate teaching experience were important hiring criteria. An appendix provides the top five hiring criteria. (Author/MKA)

Reviews the literature on suicidal behavior in gay and lesbian populations. Suicide risk factors include previous attempts, substance abuse, family dysfunction, and other factors. Suggests implications for mental-health counselors, which are discussed in terms of competency, intervention, and sociopolitical activism. Evidence suggests this population is at increased risk for suicide. (RJM)

Cross validates and discusses the Good et al. confirmatory factor analysis of the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS). Data taken from college students (N=684) support the internal consistency reliability of the GRCS and offer tentative proof for its factorial validity. Results highlight the importance of reporting multiple fit indices. (RJM)

Investigated the psychometric integrity of the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory of suicidal behaviors in a sample of 511 undergraduate students from a large Midwestern university. Results tentatively support the scale's continued use and development. (KW)

Responds to Werth's (1992) arguing for rational suicide for individuals diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Commends Werth's willingness to address issue of rational suicide for individuals diagnosed with AIDS, but expresses concerns about data supporting his rationale and implications for counseling psychology and society in general. Discusses these concerns. (NB)

Reviews the development and psychometric analyses of the Suicide Assessment Checklist (SAC), a 21-item, 2-part instrument constructed for use as a standardized component of a comprehensive suicide risk assessment and documentation strategy in the emergency evaluation of risk for suicidal behavior. Results suggest SAC is psychometrically sound. (JBJ)

Results of random sampling of suicide prevention center directors suggests that etiological models of suicidal behavior emphasizing environmental stress and/or prepotent vulnerability are most commonly held perceptions of causes of suicide. Category that included both stress and predisposition models was advocated by 37.5 percent of respondents and emerged as most frequently endorsed etiological conceptualization of suicidal behavior. (Author/NB)

Presents psychometric investigation of the eight-factor clinical model of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) as representing the most appropriate interpretive model for the SOQ. Notes that factor-analytic and internal consistency reliability results failed to support hypothesized eight-factor model. Discusses alternative factor scheme and offers suggestions for future research on the SOQ. (Author/NB)

Presents formulation of association between alcohol consumption and suicidal behavior derived from recent advances in area of social cognition. Suggests that social cognitive mechanism of alcohol-induced myopia may serve important role in developing comprehensive conceptualization of alcohol-suicide relationship. Discusses implications for practitioners and ethical considerations of further research in this area. (Author/NB)

Prior research has identified a negative association between suicidal ideation and help-seeking, a phenomenon called 'help-negation.' Help-negation has been documented to occur for both professional and nonprofessional sources of help. In this study help-seeking attitudes, stigma concerns, and perceptions of social support were examined as possible mediators of help-negation. Data were collected from a nonclinical sample of college undergraduates at a midwestern university (N = 321). Findings provided partial support for the mediation hypotheses. Help-seeking attitudes and stigma were significant predictors of help-seeking intentions ([beta] = .34 and [beta] = -.17, p < .05, respectively), but did not mediate help-negation for professional sources. Perceptions of social support, on the other hand, fully mediated help-negation for nonprofessional sources ([beta] = .27, p < .05).

Data from 1,376 respondents on a 1994 scale to measure depressive and manic experiences devised by Thalbourne, Delin, and Bassett (1994) were analyzed. Internal consistency reliability estimates for the Total scale (.66), the Depressive subscale (.63), and the Manic subscale (.45) were poor to marginal, and a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the two-subscale structure of the scale. These results, considered in conjunction with those of previous psychometric analyses of the Manic-Depressive Scale, cast doubt on its usefulness for research and clinical use. DOI 10.2466/PR0.106.3.901-904

Scholars have based their understanding of college-student suicide in the United States largely on the study of European Americans, and therefore, its relevance to making culturally informed decisions with suicidal Asian American college students is unclear. This article explores aspects of suicide assessment potentially unique to Asian American college students and discusses possible ways to handle the process of breaking confidentiality that are more sensitive to Asian American needs. First, the authors briefly review issues of confidentiality, informed consent, and standards of care. Second, they examine several aspects of Asian American college students' experiences in the United States and of Asian cultural values. Specifically, the authors review acculturation and the experience of immigration, intergenerational relationships, collectivistic cultural values, the myth of the 'model minority,' and perfectionism. Third, they offer culturally informed considerations for assessing suicidal risk and ways to manage breaking confidentiality. Finally, they suggest the Collaborative Assess-ment and Management of Suicidality model and the Suicide Intervention Response Inventory--2 as potentially useful tools for culturally sensitive work with Asian American college students.

The factor structure of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was investigated in 2 studies. In the first study, the SOQ was administered to 568 participants to investigate the relative strength of 3 competing latent structure models previously identified in the literature. Confirmatory factor analyses provided no support for any of the prior models. An exploratory factor analysis of these data resulted in a weak 2-factor structure accounting for only 15.33% of the common variance. In the second study, this 2-factor structure was evaluated using SOQ data from 288 college students. Confirmatory factor analysis results failed to support the 2-factor model. Based on these results, the authors recommend that future research efforts should focus on developing a more contemporary and psychometrically sound measure of attitudes toward suicide.

A confirmatory factor analysis of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in a sample of 340 Italian students did not support the 3-factor model reported for previous samples of psychiatric patients. A follow-up principal axis factor analysis yielded two interpretable correlated factors, suggesting that the structure of the scale may differ across clinical and nonclinical groups and as a function of nationality. DOI 10.2466/PR0.100.2.375-378

A sample of 40 suicide notes were analyzed for motivational content in relation to an existential-constructivist theory of suicide. Results generally supported the 4 theoretical categories of somatic, relational, spiritual, and psychological motivations, with 39 notes having content that could be classified according to the aforementioned categories. Psychological motivations were found to be the most prevalent, followed by relational, spiritual, and somatic concerns. Notes of completed suicides included more relational motivations than did those of suicide attempters, and older writers of notes showed more psychological and fewer spiritual motivations than did younger writers. Recommendations are offered for revising the theory to provide a stronger meaning-based understanding of suicidal behavior., Perhaps the most predictable response following a suicide is a search for motive. For example, the suicide of Judas Iscariot in 33 AD has been seen as being motivated by [...]

The Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS; T. Adams, 1995: T. Adams, J. Bezner, & M. Steinhardt, 1997) is a recently developed instrument intended to operationalize the comprehensive Perceived Wellness Model (T. Adams, J. Bezner, & M. Steinhardt, 1997), an innovative model that attempts to include the balance of multiple life activities in its evaluation of well-being. Two university samples (N = 3171 were used to (a) examine the psychometric properties of the PWS, (b) determine how well the PWS represents the Perceived Wellness Model, and (c) ascertain how well the PWS relates to psychological functioning. Results suggest that the PWS may have potential as a psychometrically sound instrument that does relate in hypothesized ways to standardized measures of mental health. Specifically, a revised 33-item PWS accounted for 29.3% of the variance in Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996) scores, 11.4% of the variance in Beck Anxiety Inventory (A. T. Beck & R. A. Steer, 1993) scores, and 18.2% of the variance in scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-21 (D. E. Green, F. H. Walkey, I. A. McCormick, & A. J. W. Taylor. 1988) when controlling for impression management. Despite this support for the overall PWS, the authors' examination found no psychometric evidence for the existence of separate subscale dimensions, as suggested by the Perceived Wellness Model. the theory upon which the PWS was designed. Implications for these findings are presented.

Suicidologists have made tremendous strides in advancing the knowledge of correlates of completed suicide and nonfatal suicidal behavior since the early 1960s. In order to move beyond the simple identification of risk factors, however, scientific suicidology needs to give greater attention to the critical role of theory in guiding inquiry and advancing the understanding of suicidal behaviors. In this article I argue the importance of theoretical grounding from the perspective of psychological science, provide examples of this perspective from my work, and discuss their implications for future research in the field.

The present investigation surveyed 162 self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals recruited from LGB-related social organizations or contacted through networking procedures with regard to suicidal behaviors, suicide risk factors, and reasons for living. Approximately 41% of the respondents indicated a serious consideration of suicide including the identification of a specific suicide plan (23%) or a past suicide attempt (36%) with significant intent to die (13%). Forty-six percent of the sample indicated at least some degree of chance of attempting suicide in the future. Grounded in the existential-constructivist theory of suicide (Rogers, 2001), empirically and theoretically identified suicide risk factors were found as a group to predict suicidal ideation ([R.sup.2] = .16) and attempts ([R.sup.2] = .17), with abuse-related items independently predicting both suicidal ideation ([R.sup.2] = .03) and attempts ([R.sup.2] = .08). Items related to self-identity issues and social acceptance were predictive of suicidal ideation ([R.sup.2] = .04), while substance abuse was predictive of suicidal ideation ([R.sup.2] = .05) and attempts ([R.sup.2] = .13) for males only. The established factor structure of the Reasons for Living Inventory (Linehan et al., 1983) was not supported in the current data, suggesting that it may not be an appropriate measure of reasons for living with LGB individuals.

Validity of the Suicide Assessment Checklist (SAC; J. R. Rogers, 1990) was investigated in a sample of 1,969 admissions to a psychiatric emergency crisis center. Internal consistency reliability for rated items of the SAC was .87. Supporting construct-related validity, total score differences were found in the expected directions as a function of referral reason. Convergent validity was based on observed correlations between selected SAC items and conceptually similar items on the Beck Depression Inventory (A. T. Beck, 1970). Supporting criterion-related validity, total score differences in the expected directions were found as a function of disposition setting. Recommendations are made for the use of the SAC in the practice of counseling., The rate of suicide in the United States continues to be a major problem to be addressed within the field of mental health (e.g., United States Public Health Service, 1999) [...]

Suicidology is discussed in response to articles by Mary Ann Hoffman, Robert A. Neimeyer, and Morton M. Silverman. Topics include biopsychosocial trends, research methodologies, postvention, counseling psychologist training, and resources.

Suicide is a major mental health problem in the United States and an issue that significantly impacts the mental health treatment community. Although the suicide rate remains relatively stable, the discipline of counseling psychology has broadened in scope and work settings have diversified. Thus, counseling psychology trainees are increasingly exposed to suicidal clients. Despite this reality, research suggests that comprehensive, systematic training in suicidology in counseling psychology programs rarely occurs. One reason for this state of affairs may be that the suicide literature is spread across a variety of disciplines, making it difficult for educators and practitioners to stay informed about the knowledge base in suicidology. The purpose of this contribution, therefore, is to provide counseling psychology educators and practitioners with an overview of the field of suicidology as it applies to the training and practice of counseling psychology.

This article discusses the current status of research regarding the assessment of attitudes toward euthanasia and other right to die constructs with a focus on conceptual and methodological issues hindering advancement in this area. Two models are presented: a conceptual model for differentiating the various right to die constructs, and a measurement model to guide scale development and refinement. The conceptual model defines the right to die constructs as a function of locus of decision and locus of action. Health status and age are hypothesized as important factors that in some instances are defining attributes in right to die constructs and in other instances are factors influencing people's attitudes toward the right to die. The measurement model considers the importance of construct specificity, individual characteristics, and conviction in the assessment of right to die attitudes. An extant euthanasia attitude scale is presented and evaluated in terms of the models to demonstrate how they may be useful for advancing attitude research in this important area.