Deck 64: Psychology in Action: Suicide

Question 1

Regarding risk factors for suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Dangerous times for suicide include the times of divorce,separation,rejection,failure,and bereavement.
B)Feelings of anger,hostility,and the impulse to harm others can be turned inward,dramatically increasing the risk of suicide.
C)When one has severe feelings of hopelessness,this feeling must be present a long time before the person is a suicide risk.
D)Suicidal people often isolate themselves and feel worthless and misunderstood.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

It is estimated that about two-thirds of all suicide attempts are made by people who do not really want to die.How many more are ambivalent or undecided about dying?

A)almost a tenth more
B)almost an eighth more
C)almost a fourth more
D)almost a third more

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Regarding suicide and suicide attempts,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)In North America,for every three people who die by homicide,two will kill themselves.
B)There may be ten times as many suicide attempts for every suicide that results in death.
C)It is estimated that about two-thirds of all suicide attempts are made by people who do not really want to die,and almost a third more are ambivalent or undecided about dying.
D)Suicide is almost always a cry for help with most people being relieved when someone comes to their aid.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following ethnic groups currently has the highest rate of suicide in the United States?

A)European Americans
B)Native Americans
C)African Americans
D)Hispanic Americans

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT listed as a major risk factor for suicide?

A)availability of a firearm
B)overeating
C)severe anxiety or panic attacks
D)family history of suicidal behavior

Question 6

In 90 percent of all suicides,a diagnosable mental disorder is a factor and is usually either depression or a(n) __________ disorder.

A)obsessive-compulsive
B)dissociative identity
C)conversion
D)substance abuse

Question 7

It is estimated that what proportion of all suicide attempts are made by people who do not really want to die?

A)one-third
B)one-half
C)two-thirds
D)three-fourths

Question 8

For every suicide that results in death,there may be how many times as many suicide attempts?

A)two times
B)five times
C)ten times
D)25 times

Question 9

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)The suicide rate is three times higher in Hungary than in the United States.
B)The suicide rate in the United States is almost ten times higher than the rate in Azerbaijan.
C)Between 1950 and 1990,suicide rates for adolescents and young adults doubled.
D)Suicide rates tend to decrease with advancing age.

Question 10

Suicidal people usually have

A)a history of trouble with family or sexual adjustment problems.
B)drinking or drug abuse problems.
C)job difficulties.
D)problems in any one or all of these areas.

Question 11

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)Women outnumber men in the total number of deaths by suicide.
B)White males 65 years and older have one of the lowest risks of committing suicide.
C)Divorced men have lower rates of suicide than married men do.
D)Native Americans have the highest rate of suicide in the United States.

Question 12

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)Suicide is the number one cause of death among 15-24 year­olds.
B)White males 65 years and older have a high risk of committing suicide.
C)Single men have lower rates of suicide than married men do.
D)In the United States,African Americans have a higher rate of suicide than do Caucasians.

Question 13

Major risk factors for suicide include

A)hopelessness.
B)narcissism.
C)high blood pressure.
D)marriage.

Question 14

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Four times as many men complete suicide,but women make more attempts.
B)Married individuals have lower suicide rates than divorced,widowed,or single persons,at least among men.
C)Native Americans have the highest suicide rate in the United States.
D)Suicide rates tend to decrease with advancing age.

Question 15

In North America,for every three people who die by homicide,how many people will kill themselves?

A)two
B)three
C)five
D)seven

Question 16

Among ethnic adolescents,major risk factors for suicide include which of the following?

A)"loss of face"
B)acculturative stress
C)racism and discrimination
D)all of these

Question 17

A diagnosable mental disorder,usually depression or substance abuse disorder,is a factor in what percent of all suicides?

A)25 percent
B)50 percent
C)75 percent
D)90 percent

Question 18

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Married men have lower rates of suicide than men who are divorced,widowed,or single.
B)Among 15-24 year-olds,suicide is the third leading cause of death.
C)The United States has a suicide rate that is 10 times higher than the suicide rate in Hungary.
D)Suicide rates increase with advancing age.

Question 19

Which of the following was NOT listed as a warning sign that the risk of suicide is very high?

A)feelings of anger and hostility that are turned inward
B)an extremely negative self-image and severe feelings of hopelessness
C)situations that seem intolerable,such as divorce,rejection,and bereavement
D)being overly confident,narcissistic,and boastful

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT considered a major risk factor for suicide?

A)unexpectedly changing friends
B)availability of a firearm
C)shame,humiliation,failure,or rejection
D)drug or alcohol use

Question 21

Regarding suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)For every ten potential suicides,eight give warning beforehand.
B)Direct threats to commit suicide and the giving of possessions away may be pleas for help.
C)Most suicides cannot be prevented with the person finding a way to do it anyway.
D)Suicide attempts usually come when a person is alone,depressed,and unable to view matters objectively.

Question 22

John has been saying he wishes he could just die and saying things like,"It doesn't matter if I pay my bill." In addition,he just gave away his favorite CD collection saying he wouldn't need it anymore.These behaviors should be considered

A)ways of getting negative attention.
B)signs of a break with reality.
C)warning signs of a potential suicide attempt.
D)symptoms of cyclothymic disorder.

Question 23

Jason feels like his world is falling apart and he can't "take it" anymore.He sees no hope for things getting better, and he just wants to escape.We should consider Jason's current thoughts and feelings as characteristic of

A)pre-psychotic behavior.
B)adolescence and college years.
C)suicidal thoughts and feelings.
D)a somatic symptom disorder.

Question 24

Recent life crisis,risk-taking,sudden mood swings,rage/anger,seeking revenge,and no sense of purpose in life are among the warning signs for a(n)

A)social anxiety.
B)personality disorder.
C)suicide attempt.
D)affective psychosis.

Question 25

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Married men have higher rates of suicide than single men do.
B)More than half of all suicide victims are over 45 years old.
C)Caucasians generally have higher suicide rates than do non-Caucasians with the exception of Native Americans.
D)Men have a higher suicide death rate than women do.

Question 26

Which of the following is an important warning sign of a potential suicide?

A)withdrawal from contact with others
B)unbridled optimism and cheerfulness
C)grandiose schemes and narcissism
D)constant criticism of others

Question 27

Warning signs for potential suicide include all of the following EXCEPT

A)sudden mood swings and aggression.
B)increased contact and dependence on others.
C)a preoccupation with death.
D)alcohol and/or drug use.

Question 28

All of the following are characteristics of suicidal thinking EXCEPT for

A)a desire to escape.
B)unbearable psychological pain.
C)frustrated needs.
D)having too many options.

Question 29

For every ten potential suicides,how many people give warning beforehand?

A)one
B)three
C)six
D)eight

Question 30

Running away from home,quitting school,abandoning a marriage,and suicide all have in common that they involve

A)a wish to escape.
B)a broadening of options.
C)nervous breakdowns.
D)the onset of delusional behavior.

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT identified in the text as a common characteristic of suicidal thoughts and feelings?

A)feelings of paranoia
B)frustration in the search for love or trust
C)inability to recognize options other than death
D)extreme emotional pain

Question 32

Regarding suicide and suicide prevention,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Suicide can be prevented if a distressed person's frustrated needs can be identified and eased.
B)It helps when suicidal persons see that the natural wish for escape does not have to be expressed by ending it all.
C)The rescuer's goal is to help narrow the suicidal person's options.
D)Suicide occurs when pain exceeds a person's resources for coping with pain,so the rescuer's goal is to reduce the pain in any way possible.

Question 33

Which men tend to have the LOWEST rate of suicide?

A)married men
B)divorced men
C)single men who have never been married
D)men who are widowed after a long happy marriage

Question 34

Withdrawal from contact with others,mood swings,personality change,hopelessness,and alcohol/drug use may signal

A)the onset of specific phobic reaction.
B)an impending suicide attempt.
C)the onset of antisocial personality disorder.
D)the emergence of a somatic symptom disorder.

Question 35

Withdrawal from others,personality change,depression,and giving away prized possessions are among the warning signs for

A)a suicide attempt.
B)bipolar II disorder.
C)adolescent turbulence.
D)dysthymia.

Question 36

Escape,unbearable psychological pain,frustrated psychological needs,and constriction of options are most characteristic of

A)bipolar disorder.
B)postpartum depression.
C)generalized anxiety disorder.
D)suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Question 37

Regarding patterns of suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)More than three-fourths of all suicide victims are under 30 years old.
B)In committing suicide,women are more likely to attempt a drug overdose,while men use a gun.
C)Divorced and single men have a higher suicide rate than married men.
D)In the United States,the suicide rate is the highest among Native Americans with suicide rates also being elevated among the aboriginal peoples of other countries.

Question 38

After her long-time boyfriend "dumped" her for another girl,Ana became enraged and only thought of revenge.Although Ana had been an excellent student,she no longer seemed to take interest in her studies and told her friends that it didn't matter whether she took the college entrance exam or not.She wouldn't go out with her friends anymore or even respond to her best friends' texts.Her parents said she just stayed in her room and did not seem to have any purpose in life anymore.These factors were warning signs for

A)the emergence of a delusional disorder.
B)the development of a dissociative identity disorder.
C)chronic hypomania.
D)a suicide attempt.

Question 39

Regarding suicide among college students,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Suicide is the number one cause of death among persons 15-24 years of age.
B)Chronic health problems,real or imagined,are factors in college suicides.
C)Many of the college students who committed suicide were good students,who were not living up to their extremely high standards.
D)Interpersonal difficulties,including being lonely or a rejected lover,and cocaine and alcohol use are important factors in college suicides.

Question 40

Suicidal behavior usually progresses from which of the following to suicide attempts?

A)apathy to irrationality
B)suicidal thoughts to suicide threats
C)dependency to despondency
D)suicidal thoughts to dependency

Question 41

Sharon has a friend who has been suicidal.To help her friend get through this difficult time,Sharon has been making daily contact with her friend and scheduling daily activities like meeting for coffee to talk,having lunch,and going to the movies.Sharon's commitments to her friend are

A)too minor to make a difference.
B)dangerous because Sharon is playing psychologist.
C)possibly enough to prevent her friend from attempting suicide.
D)just temporarily delaying a suicide attempt.

Question 42

When dealing with someone who has been hinting at suicide,which of the following is NOT a good approach?

A)Approach the person with support and acceptance,realizing that he or she probably feels misunderstood.
B)Try to get day-to-day commitments from the person,such as meeting for lunch.
C)If the person's mood abruptly improves,back off so that he or she is not reminded of earlier suicidal talk.
D)Ask the person if he or she is considering suicide.

Question 43

What is the best course of action when a person is threatening suicide and has a specific,workable plan?

A)Document the incident in case the situation worsens,but take care not to overreact.
B)Ask the person to accompany you to a mental health clinic or hospital emergency room.
C)Be supportive and try to get day-to-day commitments from the person,such as meeting for lunch.
D)Ignore the threat so that you don't reinforce death­obsessed verbalizations.

Question 44

Married men have higher suicide rates than divorced,widowed,or single men.

Question 45

A suicidal person who has a specific,workable plan,and the means to carry it out should be asked to accompany you to the emergency ward of a hospital.

Question 46

The rate of suicide in the United States is almost ten times higher than the rate of suicide in Hungary.

Question 47

To help prevent individuals from committing suicide,you should

A)tell them to avoid thinking about suicide.
B)establish rapport and offer genuine support.
C)help them to narrow their options.
D)try to convince them to stop feeling sorry for themselves.

Question 48

Regarding suicide and suicide prevention,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)The majority of suicide attempts come at temporary low points in a person's life and may never be repeated.
B)If a person suddenly gets better after a severe depression,it is a sign that the danger of suicide has significantly decreased.
C)To help a suicidal person,get day-to-day commitments from the person to meet for lunch,share a ride,and let them know you expect him or her to be there.
D)If you suspect a person is contemplating suicide,it is completely acceptable to ask,"Are you thinking of suicide?"

Question 49

White males 65 years and older are at particular risk for committing suicide.

Question 50

Megan is trying to help her friend Sara,who is depressed and may be having suicidal thoughts.Megan should

A)tell her friend to "snap out of it" and stop feeling sorry for herself.
B)broaden her friend's options so that suicide is not the only option.
C)never ask her friend if she is thinking about suicide.
D)give Sara some space and not make any social commitments with her until she gets over her depression.

Question 51

It is estimated that about two thirds of all suicide attempts are made by people who do not really want to die with almost a third more being ambivalent or undecided about dying.

Question 52

In North America,for every three people who die by homicide,the number who kill themselves is .

Question 53

Asking someone if he or she is thinking of committing suicide

A)is intrusive and can dangerously undermine the caring relationship you are trying to establish.
B)is likely to prompt a suicide attempt if the person is truly depressed.
C)is unlikely to yield a useful reply with it being better to look for silent indications in the person's body language.
D)conveys understanding and is completely acceptable.

Question 54

A friend has called you to "say goodbye" and tells you she is alone and how she plans to carry out the act using a drug overdose.She then hangs up on you,and you cannot get her back on the phone.What should you do?

A)Do not overreact because she is trying to manipulate you.
B)If she does not call back in 15 minutes,call her.
C)Call another friend to accompany you to this "suicidal" friend's house.
D)Call the police or a rescue unit and tell them what happened.

Question 55

Regarding suicide and suicide prevention,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Even when all the choices are unpleasant,suicidal persons can usually be made to see that their least unpleasant option is better than death.
B)If you suspect a person is contemplating suicide,do not ask,"Are you thinking of suicide?" because this could trigger a suicide attempt.
C)In helping a suicidal person,your most important task is to establish rapport (a harmonious connection)with the person.
D)A dangerous time for suicide is when a person suddenly seems to get better after a severe depression,with this often meaning the person has finally decided to end it all.

Question 56

Neither acculturative stress nor racism have been shown to be risk factors for suicide among ethnic adolescents.

Question 57

Asking someone if he or she is thinking of committing suicide is likely to prompt a suicide attempt if the person is truly depressed.

Question 58

Which of the following represents the most serious need for crisis intervention?

A)A person confides in a friend the details of a feasible plan for killing himself with carbon monoxide.
B)After surviving a car accident,a young man takes up several high-risk activities,including hang gliding.
C)After weeks of depression,a woman abruptly gives away a book autographed by her favorite author.
D)The most serious sign is no sign at all - most people give no warning before attempting suicide.

Question 59

Regarding suicide and the prevention of suicide,which of the following statements is FALSE?

A)Never ask the person," Are you thinking of suicide?" since this could trigger a suicide attempt.
B)If you think a person seems suicidal,have the person call you or the number of a mental health crisis intervention team if she or he becomes frightened or impulsive.
C)Since the suicidal person feels misunderstood,it is important to try to accept and understand the feelings the person is expressing.
D)Even when all the choices are unpleasant,suicidal persons can usually be made to see that their least unpleasant option is better than death.

Question 60

Since emotional pain is what the suicidal person is seeking to escape,the goal of anyone hoping to prevent suicide should be to reduce the person's pain in any way possible.

Question 61

For every ten potential suicides,the number of people who give warning beforehand is .

Question 62

Discuss why people try to kill themselves by identifying five of the major risk factors or conditions that often lead to suicide,the factor present in 90 percent of all suicides,and five of the warning signs that often signal an impending suicide attempt.

Question 63

Regarding the leading causes of death among 15- to 24-year-olds,suicide ranks as .

Question 64

Describe the specific ways that you can help a friend who is having mild suicidal thoughts and what you should do if a suicide attempt appears imminent.

Question 65

In 90 percent of all suicides,a diagnosable mental disorder was a factor,usually depression or a(n)disorder.

Question 66

Suicidal thoughts and feelings are most characterized by unbearable psychological pain,frustrated psychological needs,a desire to escape,and a constriction of .

Question 67

Regarding ethnicity,the highest suicide rate in the United States is among Americans.

Question 68

Males complete more suicides than women because they use more lethal means,such as gun,while women are more likely to attempt suicide through a(n).

Question 69

To talk with suicidal persons over the phone,most cities have centers for suicide prevention or mental health
__________ teams.