The Suicidal Gesture: A Study of 114 Military Patients Hospitalized Because of Abortive Suicide Attempts

Fisch, Mayer

doi:10.1176/ajp.111.1.33

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…However, objectively speaking the term "gesture" refers simply to the use of movement to express thoughts or emotions, which accurately conveys the nature of this behavior. Dislike of this term may be a historical artifact of the original use of the term "suicide gesture" in early publications describing instances in which soldiers would self-inflict gunshot wounds during wartime in order to be relieved of duty (Fisch, 1954;Tucker & Gorman, 1967). Some such reports described those making a suicide gesture in unfavorable terms.…”

Section: Terminologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Actions speak louder than words: An elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of self-injury and other harmful behaviors

Nock

2008

Applied and Preventive Psychology

217

232

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The question of why some people do things that are intentionally harmful to themselves continues to puzzle scientists, clinicians, and the public. Prior studies have demonstrated that one fairly extreme, direct form of self-harm, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is maintained by both automatic (i.e., intrapersonal) as well as social (i.e., interpersonal) reinforcement. However, the majority of theoretical and empirical papers on this topic focus almost exclusively on the automatic functions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the social functions of NSSI. Evidence is presented supporting the notion that NSSI is maintained by social reinforcement in at least a substantial minority of instances. Moreover, an elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of NSSI is outlined that proposes that this behavior represents a high intensity social signal used when less intense communication strategies fail (e.g., speaking, yelling, crying). The model further proposes that NSSI can serve not only as a signal of distress that is reinforced primarily by the caregiving behavior it elicits from others, but that it also can serve as a signal of strength and fitness that is reinforced by warding off potential threats (e.g., peer victimization), and in some cases can strengthen affiliation with others. Support for this theoretical model is drawn from diverse literatures including psychology, evolutionary biology, and cultural anthropology. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for empirical tests of the proposed model of the social functions of NSSI, as well as other harmful behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.

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Section: Terminologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Actions speak louder than words: An elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of self-injury and other harmful behaviors

Nock

2008

Applied and Preventive Psychology

217

232

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“…Kessel's (1966) study of suicidal behaviour in a non-military population indicated that only in a minority of cases was death the reported aim of attempted suicide, the object more usually being to escape temporarily from an intolerable situation and, in the long term, to change that situation. In military populations the manipulative character of the suicide attempt is even more frankly expressed (e.g., Fisch, 1954;Tucker & Gorman, 1967). The present data on reported intent, though admittedly incomplete, are thus consistent with previous findings in suggesting that discharge rather than death was the more common aim of the suicide attempt.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidal behaviour in the australian army: Precipitating factors and correlates of attempted suicide

O’Gorman¹,

Duncan

Salas³

et al. 1975

Australian Psychologist

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“…As Fisch (1954) noted, “One is soon struck by the transparent insincerity of these attempts, which in the majority of cases, are more aptly termed gestures” (p. 33). Tucker and Gorman (1967) went further when they said, “The suicide gesture is more frequently a communicative act directed at the patient's environment .…”

Section: The Problematic Label Of Suicide Gesture: Alternatives For Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of the term in this way also was seen in the aforementioned description of the movie Fatal Attraction, in which the antagonist engaged in suicidal behavior with very clear secondary gain (Hyler & Moore, 1996). Similarly, Fisch (1954) noted that “the person who makes a gesture still has his attention focused primarily on the external world. He is using his body principally as a vehicle with which to express anger and protest against an environment, with the object of injuring or altering the environment, rather than removing himself permanently from it” (p. 36).…”

Section: The Problematic Label Of Suicide Gesture: Alternatives For Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

The problematic label of suicide gesture: Alternatives for clinical research and practice.

Heilbron¹,

Compton²,

Daniel³

et al. 2010

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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Historically, certain terms used to describe psychopathology have evolved over time due to changing social and political contexts. This paper explores the importance of a clear and consistent language for characterizing suicide-related behaviors with a particular focus on the commonly used label “suicide gesture.” The historical and contemporary uses of the term are explored, and clinical, research, and training implications are discussed. Clinicians and researchers are strongly encouraged to consider discontinuing the use of the term suicide gesture in light of its associated dismissive connotations and inconsistent application in clinical practice and research. In lieu of the term suicide gesture, recommendations are made regarding an increased emphasis by clinicians and researchers on more precise descriptions of suicidal behaviors and the functional assessment of suicide-related behaviors.

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The Suicidal Gesture: A Study of 114 Military Patients Hospitalized Because of Abortive Suicide Attempts

Cited by 14 publications

References 2 publications

Actions speak louder than words: An elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of self-injury and other harmful behaviors

Actions speak louder than words: An elaborated theoretical model of the social functions of self-injury and other harmful behaviors

Suicidal behaviour in the australian army: Precipitating factors and correlates of attempted suicide

The problematic label of suicide gesture: Alternatives for clinical research and practice.

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