Question 1

Bruno's father suffers from major depression. Compared with his cousin, who has no history of mental illness in her family, how much more likely is Bruno to develop major depression?

Accepted Answer

Having a first-degree relative with major depression increases the risk of developing the disorder by 2 to 3 times compared to someone without a family history of mental illness.

Question 2

The genetic component of suicide risk

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that genetics plays a role in suicide risk, but it is entangled with environmental risk factors such as childhood abuse, trauma, and substance abuse. It is difficult to quantitatively determine the exact percentage of risk that is due to genetics versus environment, and it is likely that both factors interact to contribute to suicide risk.

Question 3

Passive suicidal ideation and active suicidal ideation may be discriminated from each other on the basis of

Accepted Answer

Passive suicidal ideation refers to thoughts about death or suicide without a clear intent or plan to carry it out, while active suicidal ideation refers to having a specific plan and intent to harm oneself. The presence or absence of a harm plan is a key factor in distinguishing between the two types of ideation. Psychotic thought processes, prior suicide attempts, and parasuicidal acts may all be risk factors for suicide, but they do not necessarily distinguish between passive and active suicidal ideation.

Question 4

Dr. Albornoz is a scientist researching the genetic variations of a particular gene among family members with a mood disorder. He intends to contrast these findings with a matched sample of families without the disorder. What method of study is Dr. Albornoz employing?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Albornoz is comparing genetic variations between two groups - those with the mood disorder and those without. This aligns with the objective of an association study, which seeks to identify if a particular variant is more prevalent in cases (those with the disorder) compared to controls (those without the disorder). A linkage study, on the other hand, aims to identify the specific location of a disease-causing gene on a chromosome, whereas a longitudinal study follows a group of people over an extended period of time to study changes that may occur. A case study is an in-depth examination of a single individual, which is not the design Dr. Albornoz is using.

Question 5

In the text's discussion of the Hemingway and van Gogh families, the focus is on the

Accepted Answer

The discussion in the text regarding the Hemingway and van Gogh families revolves around the heritability of suicide. The text notes that both families have experienced multiple suicides, which has led to speculation about a possible genetic predisposition to suicidal behavior. The text does not focus on reinforcement of suicidal ideation, family role modeling of suicidal behavior, or inadvertent idealization of suicidal persons to the same degree as it does on the heritability aspect.

Question 6

Marne is a 21-year-old male with a history of major depression and previous suicide attempts. How would you categorize his risk of a completed suicide in the future?

Accepted Answer

Marne's history of major depression and previous suicide attempts indicate a high risk of completed suicide in the future. It is important for Marne to seek immediate professional help and support to address his mental health concerns and reduce his risk for suicide.

Question 7

Evidence obtained from family, twin, and genetic studies of mood disorders tells us that

Accepted Answer

Family, twin, and genetic studies have consistently shown that genes play a role in the development of mood disorders, including major depression. While there is no single "depression gene," certain genetic variations have been associated with an increased risk for the disorder. Additionally, family studies have shown that individuals with a first-degree relative who has major depression are at an increased risk for developing the disorder themselves. However, the risk is not near perfect prediction for suicide among family members - while genetics can play a role in suicidal behavior, it is a complex phenomenon influenced by many factors.

Question 8

Which demographic group is at the LOWEST risk for suicide?

Accepted Answer

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, African-American females are at the lowest risk for suicide.

Question 9

Which suicide prevention approach is MOST controversial?

Accepted Answer

Critical incident debriefing has been subject to controversy, with some studies suggesting that it may actually increase the risk of suicide by causing individuals to dwell on the event and exacerbating feelings of guilt and distress.

Question 10

Farley works as a suicide hotline staffer. One evening, he received a call from a young woman who complained of suicidal ideation but felt no immediate risk of acting on her thoughts. Given this, Farley provided a referral for follow-up at the local community counseling center. Which type of suicide prevention does this scenario depict?

Accepted Answer

The scenario depicts crisis intervention, which involves providing immediate assistance to individuals in crisis situations to prevent them from taking harmful actions. Farley's referral to the local community counseling center is an example of crisis intervention as he is providing the young woman with immediate access to resources to address her suicidal ideation. Early detection involves identifying individuals at risk of suicide before a crisis occurs. Peer support involves providing emotional and practical assistance to individuals who are experiencing suicidal ideation or have attempted suicide based on shared experiences. Critical incident debriefing involves providing support and assistance to individuals after a traumatic event.

Question 11

Linkage studies have narrowed the search for a genetic contribution to mood disorders by

Accepted Answer

Linkage studies search specific areas on a chromosome or multiple chromosomes that have a likelihood of containing risk genes, which narrows the search for genetic factors that contribute to mood disorders. Choice A is incorrect as longitudinal research on separated monozygotic twins would not be relevant to linkage studies. Choice B is incorrect as gene combinations can be found in family members who have not experienced mood disorder. Choice C is incorrect as linkage studies aim to identify potential genes linked to mood disorders.

Question 12

Toby is being seen in therapy as a suicide risk. He has said that he is enrolled in college but not attending classes, has disconnected with his family, and has stopped going to his part-time job. Psychologists would term these conditions as a risk factor called

Accepted Answer

Drifting refers to a pattern where an individual loses connection with their usual activities and responsibilities, such as school, work, and family, which is evident in Toby's situation.

Question 13

Using neuroimaging studies, scientists have identified several contributory factors in the etiology of depression, including

Accepted Answer

Neuroimaging studies have shown that dysfunctional neurotransmitter pathways, such as those involving serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are linked to depression.

Question 14

Suicidal contagion refers to

Accepted Answer

Suicidal contagion, also known as copycat suicides, refers to the phenomenon of one suicide leading to an increase in suicide attempts or completions in others who are exposed to the suicide or the news of it.

Question 15

A patient committed suicide. In an attempt to better understand factors leading up to this death, the therapist interviews the patient's family, co-workers, friends, and treating physicians. This approach is known as a

Accepted Answer

A psychological autopsy is a method of gathering information about a deceased individual's life and circumstances leading up to their death in order to better understand the factors that may have contributed to their suicide. This includes interviewing family members, coworkers, friends, and healthcare providers who were involved in the patient's care. It is a comprehensive investigation that seeks to piece together the complex factors that may have led to the individual's suicide.

Question 16

Approximately _______ of children who attempt or complete suicide suffer from psychological disorders.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is choice A, 90%. Research has shown that a vast majority of children who attempt or complete suicide have some form of psychological disorder, with depression being the most commonly reported.

Question 17

Select the factor below that is associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder.

Accepted Answer

Having a close relative identified as having the disorder is a well-established risk factor for developing bipolar disorder. This suggests a genetic component to the disorder.

Question 18

Through their association with low levels of serotonin, behaviors such as ________ and ________ increase the risk of suicide.

Accepted Answer

Low levels of serotonin are linked to impulsivity and pathological aggression, both of which can increase the risk of suicide.

Question 19

Increased risk for suicide among older people is associated with chronic illness and

Accepted Answer

Decreased social support is a known risk factor for suicide among older people. Chronic illness can also contribute to social isolation and decreased social support. While loss of financial security and lack of primary health care can also be risk factors for suicide, they are not specifically associated with older people or chronic illness. Passive suicidal ideation alone may not indicate increased risk for suicide, as it refers to thoughts of suicide without active planning or intent.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about persons who attempt suicide is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that many people who attempt suicide do not receive proper psychotherapeutic intervention afterward, increasing their risk for future attempts. While psychotherapy can be helpful for some individuals who attempt suicide, it is not always effective on its own in reducing the risk for future attempts. Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide, but not all individuals who attempt suicide are in psychotherapy for substance abuse.

Quiz 6: Bipolar and Depressive Disorders