Attempted Suicide as an Operant Behavior

Bostock, Tudor; Williams, Christopher

doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1974.01760160034008

Cited by 26 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This improvement provides further evidence of a relationship between social network variables and certain classes of attempted suicide, and underlines the relevance of aspects such as care eliciting behaviour (Henderson 1974), the appeal function of the act (Stengel 1969), positive gains (Lukianowicz 1975), and operant positive reinforcement (Bostock and Williams 1974). The nature of the reported gains raises the issue of whether it is the individual's situation or his needs that undergo change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Inpatient contingency management programmes have met with some success in reducing recidivism and increasing adaptive behaviour (Bostock and Williams 1974). Changing the attitudes of the attempter's significant others using cognitive restructuring procedures so they respond to adaptive behaviour more favourably has begun to receive attention (Zich 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lukianowicz 1975), the achievement of positive changes in interpersonal relationships following the attempt (Lukianowicz 1975), and repetition of suicidal behaviour in response to subsequent dissatisfaction with or the transient nature of these positive gains (Stengel 1969). Indeed it has been argued that contingent interpersonal manipulations following suicidal behaviour in many instances reinforce and maintain this particular behaviour (Bostock and Williams 1974).Despite continued interest in the role of social network variables in the development and maintenance of suicidal behaviour, few specific intervention strategies have been derived from this literature. Reports of the management of suicidal behaviour through social rather than psychiatric…”

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confidence: 99%

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Suicidal behaviour, social networks and psychiatric diagnosis

Hart

Williams

Davidson

1988

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Summary. The aim of this investigation was to examine the relationship between social network deficits and the occurrence of suicidal behaviour, and to describe the short-term interpersonal consequences of a suicidal attempt. Two questionnaires, concerned with the extent and self-perceived adequacy of social network, formed the basis of a structured interview. Fifty-two suicide attempters were interviewed within 48 hours of their attempt, and again six weeks later, and undertook a weekly self-rating task. A group of 52 non-suicidal individuals of comparable age, sex, social class, and marital and employment status underwent the same interview programme. The results indicate that the social networks of suicide attempters are impaired relative to non-suicidal individuals, and that improvement in the social network following an attempt is limited to attempters with no formal psychiatric disorder, and to measures of perceived adequacy and satisfaction. The findings add support to the importance of psychiatric assessment of the nature and the adequacy of the social network in relation to suicidal individuals.Theoretical and research evidence indicates a relationship between disrupted social networks and the occurrence of suicidal behaviour. The behaviour has been variously attributed to increasing social isolation (Jacobs and Teicher 1967), to disturbances in close relationships (e.g. Richman 1970, 1972), and to the impairment of interpersonal communication (e.g. Fawcett et al. 1969).A process of progressive social isolation from meaningful relationships has been detailed by Jacobs and Teicher (1967) in the life histories of adolescent suicide attempters. A history of chaotic and excessively mobile family life, repeated rejection experiences (Shrut 1968), and closed family systems which prevent the potentially suicidal member from making outside contacts (Rosenbaum and Richman 1970) has been documented by clinical studies. Information on home sharing, interpersonal relationships, and occupational and social activity indicates that suicide attempters have poor contacts with family, friends, and the wider community, and that a great many are without any form of personal contact (Bille-Brahe and Wang 1985).Existing relationships are also impaired. Clinical interviews with suicide attempters and their relatives reveal an almost universal pattern of family involvement in the pressures that initiate the suicidal act (Rosenbaum and Richman 1972). Assessment of communication patterns indicates that the quality of interpersonal communication between spouses deteriorates as the degree of suicidal behaviour in one partner increases (Bonnar and McGee 1977). Chronically disrupted relationships, marital isolation, and distorted communication all characterise the high risk attempter (Fawcett et al. 1969).Consideration has also been given to the importance of social network variables consequent to the act. Follow-up studies of attempters have noted the frequency of the attempter's desire to effect some interpersonal change via suici...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suicidal behaviour, social networks and psychiatric diagnosis

Hart

Williams

Davidson

1988

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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“…Consistent with admonitions by Ullman and Krasner (1975) and others (Bachman, 1972; Bostock & Williams, 1974; Clum, Patsiokas & Luscombe, 1979; Frederick & Resnick, 1971; Jeger, 1979), treatment must insure that the patient has an alternative response (reciprocal control behaviors) which secures social reinforcers through noncoercive manding.…”

Section: Treatment Formulation For Parasuicidementioning

confidence: 90%

“…In particular, the manner in which the communication is received by the social environment has been suggested to play a pivotal role in the development or elimination of parasuicide as a response set. Bostock and Williams (1974; 1975) emphasize the danger of caregivers inadvertently reinforcing parasuicide by their responsiveness to the act. Yet it is clear a response of some kind is often necessary.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Reciprocal Control Approach to the Treatment of Repeated Parasuicide

Zich

1984

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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Patterson and Reid's formulation of coercive versus reciprocal control offers a theoretical model for understanding both parasuicide and nontherapeutic exchanges between treatment staff and repeat suicide attempters. An interpersonal treatment program, derived from the Patterson and Reid formulation, which has been consistently associated with positive changes in the course of hospitalization for moderate-risk inpatients, is outlined, followed by a case illustration and discussion of the treatment strategy. The article stresses the importance of targeting the interpersonal environment as well as parasuicidal acts in the treatment program for repeat suicide attempters.

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