Conwell Y, Caine E D, Olsen K
University of Rochester School of Medicine, NY.
Hosp Community Psychiatry. 1990 Dec;41(12):1334-9. doi: 10.1176/ps.41.12.1334.
In a controlled psychological autopsy study of suicide in late life, eight cases in which the victim's belief that he had cancer played a major role in the decision to end his life were examined. All victims were men. The majority had diagnosable major affective disorders, but none had been seen in mental health care settings. Other common characteristics were an active relationship with a primary physician, numerous losses, prior experience with cancer or debilitating disease, and a rigid, self-sufficient personality style. The cases illustrate the complex determinants of suicidal behavior in the elderly and suggest preventive strategies for the primary care setting.
在一项针对老年自杀的对照心理解剖学研究中，对8例自杀案例进行了检查，在这些案例中，受害者认为自己患有癌症在其决定结束生命的过程中起了主要作用。所有受害者均为男性。大多数人患有可诊断的重度情感障碍，但无人曾在精神卫生保健机构就诊。其他常见特征包括与初级保健医生保持着积极的关系、经历过诸多丧失、有过患癌症或使人衰弱疾病的既往史，以及固执、自给自足的人格类型。这些案例说明了老年人自杀行为的复杂决定因素，并提出了初级保健环境中的预防策略。
