Suicide and Culture
Understanding the Context
David Lester editor Erminia Colucci editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Hogrefe Publishing
Published:28th Dec '12
Should be back in stock very soon
Readers will find a rich methodological discussion of the issues and in-depth analyses of empirical data ... In conclusion, the book offers innovative ideas and will probably be more helpful to readers who have already been introduced to the field. We learn much about how culture could be related to suicide." Michel Tousignant, Universite du Quebec a Montreal, in Transcultural Psychiatry, 2014Colucci and Lester's "significant work ... is an interesting and important advocacy for the consideration of the context of culture in our understanding of suicide."Brad DeFord, PhD, in Illness, Crisis and Loss, Vol. 21, No. 4, 2013
With Heidi Hjelmeland and B. C. Ben Park, the editors explore why understanding the role of culture can help prevent suicide.The increasing domination of biological approaches in suicide research and prevention, at the expense of social and cultural understanding, is severely harming our ability to stop people dying - so run the clearly set out arguments and evidence in this lucid book by leading social scientists and suicide researchers. In the first part of this book, instead of simply comparing suicide in different countries, the authors review and examine the fundamental issues of why culture is of vital importance in understanding and preventing suicidal behavior, what the "cultural meaning" of suicide is, and where current research and theory are leading us. The second part of the book then presents (and, importantly, also critiques) exemplary recent research, including an quantitative and qualitative study on the meaning of suicide in Australia, India, and Italy, which is reported in detail, as well as other studies on correlates of suicidal behavior in Kuwait and the US, on a culturally specific form of suicide (sati), and on the role of cultural conflict in South Korea.In the concluding section, the editors highlight both the necessity and the challenges of conducting good culturally sensitive studies, as well as suggesting solutions to these challenges. This volume is thus essential reading for anyone involved in suicide research and prevention.
"This thought-provoking book is one of the best resources for any stakeholder interested in the field of suicide research and intervention at any stage of their career. Anyone on the look-out for a refreshing yet embracing view on the intriguing complex phenomena of suicide in mankind will be rewarded by reading this treatise." Sandra Chan, MRCPsych, FHKAM (Psychiatry), FHKCPsych, Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, in East Asian Archive of Psychiatry, Vol. 23, 2013 "... a thought-provoking and in-depth discussion regarding aspects of culture which may contribute to increasing [suicide] rates and cultural factors, which may be neglected when considering a person's suicidal state. "Suicide and Culture is well-written and thoughtful, and ... of interest to all those who may be involved in suicide prevention ..." Jad Kesserwani, King's College London, UK in International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 59, 2013 "Suicide and Culture: Understanding the Context provides a comprehensive picture of how, by understanding the role of culture, suicides can be prevented. This book is a must-read for everyone in the fields of suicidology, suicide prevention, and research. "The authors present sound evidence on why culture is important in all suicide prevention research, including biology. ...The debate on the cultural meaning of suicide is particularly well-written, drawing on both theory and practice. The authors challenge readers to think for themselves - [they] also provide invaluable advice on research methodology that would be of tremendous help to both novice and advanced researchers. - Of particular significance are the quotes from study participants which provide a window into the lives of those affected by suicide. The authors are to be commended for retaining the "voice" of the participants, whose words are powerful and a poignant reminders of reality." Nandika Currey, BSc, DPH, in the AAS (American Association of Suicidology) newsletter, March 2013 "[The book] discusses the role of culture in a biological era ... debates the cultural meaning of suicide, presents research and theories on the role of culture in suicide [and] opens the dialogue for further discussion and research." Valerie E. Mathis-Allen, MD, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, in Doody's Notes, 2013 "The book is full of relevant cross-cultural perspectives on the issue of suicide. The authors tear us away from our monocultural, ethnocentric perspectives by pointing out stark differences in suicide patterns in different cultures. Accordingly, suicide prevention strategies should be constructed with cultural context guiding the work. This book underscores the reality that behavior has many determinants. It also highlights some universal drivers of risky behaviors, such as social disorganization, cultural conflict, and the breakdown of the family." Carl C. Bell, MD, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, writing in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (2014), 75(6), e594
ISBN: 9780889374362
Dimensions: 228mm x 152mm x 20mm
Weight: 476g
270 pages