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Risk factors, theoretical explanations, and treatment suggestions for suicidal behaviors have historically focused largely on cognitions, but a more comprehensive picture may be provided by examining the role of affect in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the current study the link between affect and suicide within the theoretical framework of the circumplex model was examined empirically. Data from 104 participants demonstrated that both positive and negative affect are related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and that affect provided additional information about suicidality over and above the cognitive variable of hopelessness. The findings support that suicidal risk assessment may be enhanced by evaluating both hopelessness and affect, and that negative affect, in particular, is important to address in the treatment of suicidal individuals., (© 2011 The American Association of Suicidology.)

Objective: To examine the thoughts and concerns of men contemplating vasectomy before speaking to a physician as well as their partner's role in reaching this decision., Design: A questionnaire analysis using response rates, ANOVA, and regression analyses., Setting: A large Midwestern teaching hospital., Patient(s): Visitors to the urology clinic of the hospital., Intervention(s): None., Main Outcome Measure(s): [1] Questionnaire designed by authors. [2] Measures of self-concept, relationship satisfaction, and problem-solving abilities., Result(s): [1] Subjects had been considering vasectomy for an average of 1 year and were fairly certain of their decision. [2] Anxiety about vasectomy surgery was mostly driven by fear about pain and fear of the unknown. [3] Concerns about the finality of the procedure did not emerge as a big concern. [4] There is confusion about the reversibility of the procedure. [5] Subjects are better problem solvers and have a higher self-concept than people in general., Conclusion(s): Our findings demonstrate the need for adequate prevasectomy counseling, particularly in the area of postoperative expectations, as well as reversibility of the procedure.

This study investigated the relationship between preference for heavy metal music and vulnerability to suicide among 121 high school students. Heavy metal fans had less strong reasons for living (especially male fans) and had more thoughts of suicide (especially female fans). For a large majority, listening to music (all types) had a positive effect on mood. Overall, the results indicate that preference for heavy metal music among adolescents may be a "red flag" for increased suicidal vulnerability, but also suggest that the source of the problem may lie more in personal and familial characteristics than in any direct effects of the music. Implications for intervention and for future research are discussed.