Lethal Locations

An Application of Opportunity Theory to Motel Suicide, a Research Note

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12096301
AutoresIra Wasserman (0000-0001-6618-6096, Eastern Michigan University), Ira M Wasserman, Stack (0000-0002-1312-9773, Wayne State University, autor correspondente)
Ano2008
Volume32
Fascículo8
Páginas757-767
Data de publicação2008-08-29
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoDeath Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0748-1187 • E-ISSN: 1091-7683
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/07481180802289689
PMID18972654
OpenAlexW1982900082
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas9

Location of suicide is a neglected area in suicidology, but is important because location is related to the presence of motivated rescuers who can prevent suicides. The present study analyzes the predictors of suicide in a location that is apt to be free of motivated rescuers: the motel room. Data from the files of a medical examiner in a Midwestern city included 1457 suicides, of which 27 took place in motel rooms. Predictor variables include demographic characteristics and psychosocial stressors associated with the suicides. An exploratory multivariate logistic regression model found four independent predictors of motel suicide. Conditions elevating the odds of motel room suicide were divorce (odds ratio = 6.0), out of county residence (OR = 14.4), hanging as a suicide method (OR = 3.0), and substance abuse (OR = 2.6). The model explained 24% of the variance in location of suicide. Opportunity theory is utilized to explain why location influences the probability of a suicide

Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Medical emergency · Odds · Odds ratio · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Residence · Sociology · Substance abuse · Suicide attempt · Suicide prevention · Suicidology · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Demography · Gun Ownership and Violence Research · Medicine · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies