The psychological autopsy: methodological considerations for the study of adolescent suicide.

@article{Brent1988ThePA,
  title={The psychological autopsy: methodological considerations for the study of adolescent suicide.},
  author={David A. Brent and Joshua A. Perper and David J. Kolko and Janice P. Zelenak},
  journal={Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry},
  year={1988},
  volume={27 3},
  pages={
          362-6
        }
}
The psychological autopsy has been employed to study risk factors for completed suicide for more than three decades. Despite a wide range in methods of approach to families and interview techniques, the studies show high compliance and remarkable consistency of results across a wide age range and diverse geographic samples. The convergent evidence is that the diagnostic information obtained is both reliable and valid, although it is likely that such an approach will be more specific than… 
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112 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
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Methods Citations
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Results Citations
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112 Citations

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Critical issues in psychological autopsy studies.
TLDR
It is concluded that the validity and reliability of findings emerging from the use of this method of investigation would benefit from a standardization of its application.
The next generation of psychological autopsy studies. Part I. Interview content.
TLDR
Ways to improve the data collected about mental disorders and life events--domains that are assessed in almost all PA studies--are discussed at length and recommendations are made for meeting these challenges in future PA investigations.
Studies of suicide in later life: methodologic considerations and research directions.
TLDR
An international workshop is summarized where four research approaches to studying putative risk factors are reviewed: epidemiologic studies of suicidal behaviors, clinic-based follow-up studies, studies of suicide attempters, and psychological autopsy studies.
The validity of diagnoses obtained through the psychological autopsy procedure in adolescent suicide victims: use of family history
TLDR
Results provide further support for the validity of diagnoses obtained through the psychological autopsy procedure for major depression, bipolar illness, conduct and antisocial disorder and substance abuse.
Psychological autopsy studies of suicide: a systematic review
TLDR
The results indicated that mental disorder was the most strongly associated variable of those that have been studied and suicide prevention strategies may be most effective if focused on the treatment of mental disorders.
Availability of Knowledgeable Informants for a Psychological Autopsy Study of Suicides Committed by Elderly People
TLDR
The ability to access several motivated informants per case is essential to any psychological autopsy study by modern standards, and the number and availability of knowledgeable informants for 145 older people who committed suicide are examined.
Ethical aspects of psychological autopsy
TLDR
Data and experiences from 3 studies of suicide among men, women and youth are presented and the ethical problems for 3 groups of agents (informants and other relatives, including the deceased; the researcher; and the research) are discussed according to 3 basic ethical principles.
Psychological Autopsy as a Research Approach for Studying Gifted Adolescents Who Commit Suicide
Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among adolescents. Research into gifted adolescent suicide is extremely limited. Investigations in this area are hampered by the infrequent…
Parent-victim agreement in adolescent suicide research.
TLDR
Psychological autopsy studies of adolescent suicide are likely to underestimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in general and major depression and alcohol abuse in particular and these risk factors may be more predictive than previously thought.
Additional Value of Peer Informants in Psychological Autopsy Studies of Youth Suicides
TLDR
It is concluded that including peers in psychological autopsy studies of youth suicides is feasible and of added value but that more research is desirable.
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