Gunnell D, Nowers M
Department of Social Medicine, Canynge Hall, Bristol, UK.
Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997 Jul;96(1):1-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1997.tb09897.x.
This review summarizes the published literature on suicide by jumping, in particular focusing on the social and psychological characteristics of people who have chosen this method of suicide, and the opportunities for prevention. Suicide by jumping accounts for 5% of suicides in England and Wales, and there are marked variations in the use of this method world-wide. A number of locations have gained notoriety as popular places from which to jump. Such sites include The Golden Gate Bridge and Niagara Falls in the USA, and Beachy Head and the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the UK. There is no consistent evidence that those who commit suicide by jumping differ sociodemographically or in their psychopathology from those who use other methods of suicide, although this method is more often used for in-patient suicides, possibly due to lack of access to other means. Survivors of suicidal jumps experience higher subsequent rates of suicide and mental ill health, but the majority do not go on to kill themselves, suggesting that preventive efforts may be worthwhile. This view is supported by other evidence that restricting access to the means of suicide may prevent some would-be suicides. Such measures may also reduce the emotional trauma suffered by those who witness these acts. Health authorities and coroners should consider reviewing local patterns of suicide by jumping, and if necessary institute preventive measures.
本综述总结了已发表的关于跳楼自杀的文献，特别关注选择这种自杀方式的人群的社会和心理特征以及预防机会。在英格兰和威尔士，跳楼自杀占自杀总数的5%，而且这种自杀方式在全球的使用情况存在显著差异。一些地点因是热门的跳楼场所而声名狼藉。这些地点包括美国的金门大桥和尼亚加拉瀑布，以及英国的比奇角和克利夫顿吊桥。没有一致的证据表明，跳楼自杀者在社会人口统计学特征或精神病理学方面与采用其他自杀方式的人有所不同，不过这种方式更常用于住院患者自杀，可能是因为他们无法获得其他自杀手段。跳楼自杀的幸存者随后自杀和出现心理健康问题的几率更高，但大多数人不会继续自杀，这表明预防措施可能是值得的。其他证据也支持这一观点，即限制获取自杀手段可能会防止一些潜在的自杀行为。此类措施还可能减轻目睹这些行为的人所遭受的情感创伤。卫生当局和验尸官应考虑审查当地的跳楼自杀模式，必要时制定预防措施。
