Perceived Burdensomeness And Suicidality: Two Studies On The Suicide Notes Of Those Attempting And Those Completing Suicide

Abstract

From an evolutionary-psychological perspective, it has been argued that a sense of burdensomeness toward kin may erode self-preservational motives, which in turn, fosters suicidality. We reasoned that if this were so, perceived burdensomeness should specifically characterize those who complete suicide, even as compared to those who attempt suicide, whereas other dimensions (e.g., hopelessness, emotional pain) may not differentiate completers from attempters. Moreover, we predicted that perceived burdensomeness may be related to more lethal means of suicide among those who complete suicide. Two samples of suicide notes were rated on dimensions of burdensomeness, desire to control one's own feelings, desire to control others, emotional pain, and hopelessness. Perceived burdensomeness significantly correlated with completer status and with more lethal means of suicide, even controlling for other relevant dimensions. The other dimensions, in contrast, did not significantly correlate with suicide completion or with lethality of method. The possibility that perceived burdensomeness is a relatively specific feature of completed suicide deserves continued study. Durkheim (1897) reified the notion of altruistically motivated suicide (i.e., self-sacrifice for the greater good among those deeply connected to 531

Evolutionary Perspectives on Violence, Homicide, and War

“…In short, suicide may improve inclusive fi tness in specifi c situations, thereby leading to the selection of genes involved in the act of suicide, which has a heritability of roughly 40% (McGuffi n, Marusic, & Farmer, 2001). Consistent with this hypothesis, many studies of suicide and the risk of suicide have discovered an association with factors related to low reproductive potential (e.g., old age, low family income, low fertility) and burdensomeness to genetic relatives (e.g., as self-reported, as rated by clinicians, as documented in suicide notes) (Calzeroni, Conte, Pennati, & Vita, 1990;Goodman, 1999;Joiner et al, 2002Joiner et al, , 2003Motto & Bostrom, 1990;World Health Organization, 2010).…”

Suicide in the United States Air Force: Risk factors communicated before and at death

“…Further, there is overlap between these two domains. As previously noted regarding perceived burdensomeness, although it is "rooted in interpersonal experience, [it] is also an intrapersonal belief" (Joiner et al, 2002). Fourth, this study only examined decedents who left a suicide notes.…”

“…In our final set of analyses we categorized 8 of the original 13 risk factors as interpersonal (i.e., perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, rejection, and revenge) or intrapsychic (i.e., agitation, hopelessness, loss of job satisfaction, and self hate) based on previous literature (e.g., Joiner et al, 2002) and our own judgment. To compare interpersonal and intrapsychic communications, we summed the original dichotomous coding in the same way as for the previous analysis.…”

“…In a nationwide study of suicide in Finland; Heikkinen et al (1994) reported several other suicide correlates: (a) job related problems, (b) family conflict, (c) physical illness, (d) financial difficulties, (e) unemployment, (f) separation, (g) death of a close relative, and (h) family illness. Joiner et al (2002) furthered the study of suicide predictors by suggesting that interpersonal distress (i.e., between at least two people) is a greater risk factor for suicide than intrapsychic distress (i.e., within the self; emotional).…”

“…In Joiner's interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior (hereafter referred to as the interpersonal theory), he emphasizes the role of interpersonal predictors of suicide, specifically perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness (Joiner et al, 2009). In two studies evaluating risk factors communicated in suicide notes, perceived burdensomeness was the only risk factor that predicted (a) suicides compared to attempted suicides and (b) the lethality of attempt in a sample of decedents (Joiner et al, 2002). Intrapsychic risk factors that did not predict suicide or lethality of attempt included emotional pain, hopelessness, and using suicide as a method for controlling feelings.…”