Psychache and suicide ideation among men who are homeless: a test of Shneidman's model.
Suicide ideation among the homeless is 10 times more common than in the general population. Cognitive theories of depression and hopelessness propose to explain suicidality; however, as yet, none of these fully account for the phenomenon. Shneidman has suggested a theory of psychache or unbearable psychological pain to explain suicidality. This theory has found support among low-risk populations but has not been extensively tested within a high-risk population. The current research assessed the utility of psychache among men who are homeless (N = 97). In support of Shneidman's theory, analyses revealed that psychache was a stronger predictor of suicide ideation than was depression, hopelessness, or life meaning.
Psychology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 7ap33@queensu.ca
Allisha A
AA
Patterson
Ronald R
RR
Holden
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001955:British Columbia; D003863:Depression; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009864:Ontario; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D055815:Young Adult