Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: NICOLE JUSZCZAK PEAKThe primary focus of the present study was to examine the association between perceived burden and suicide related variables such as depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation.The secondary focus of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Perceived Burden Scale, a new scale designed to assess the degree of burden that a person perceives themselves to be.A clinical sample of 81 depressed adults was recruited from a day treatment and outpatient program at a local veterans affairs medical center.Patients were assessed with a structured diagnostic interview and selfreport measures assessing perceived burden, depression severity, hopelessness, perceived social support, suicidal ideation, and presence of PTSD.The present study suggests that the newly developed Perceived Burden Scale demonstrates preliminary evidence of reliability and validity.Although perceived burden appeared to be related to suicidal ideation, perceived burden did not relate to suicidal ideation beyond the association between suicidal ideation and hopelessness.Hopelessness was one of the strongest variables related to suicidal ideation when controlling for numerous suicidal risk variables.The findings of the present study underscore the importance of assessing hopelessness as a significant risk factor of potential suicide in depressed individuals.
Author: Nicole J. Peak
Institution: Case Western Reserve University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2336954388