Belief and Disbelief in the Existence of Genetic Risk Factors for Suicide

Cross-Cultural Comparisons

Bibliographic Data

ID13648328
AuthorsMartin Voracek (0000-0001-6109-6155, University of Vienna, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume101
Issue3_suppl
Pages1189-1195
Publication date2007-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2466/pr0.101.4.1189-1195
PMID18361135
OpenAlexW1992903604
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited25

There is evidence for widespread disbelief in the genetics of suicide, despite recent research progress in this area and convergent evidence supporting a role for genetic factors. This study analyzed the beliefs held in 8 samples (total N = 1224) of various types (psychology, medical, and various undergraduates, psychology graduates, and the general population) from 6 countries located on 3 continents (Austria, Canada, Malaysia, Romania, United Kingdom, and the USA). Endorsement rates for the existence of genetic risk factors for suicide ranged from 26% and 30% (Austrian psychology undergraduates and general population) to around 50% (psychology undergraduates in the USA and United Kingdom). In the 8 samples, respondents' sex, age, religiosity, political orientation, and other demographic variables were, for the most part, unrelated, but overall knowledge about suicide throughout was related positively to endorsement rates. Consistent with previous research, across a considerable variety of sample types and cultural settings there was no evidence for a clear majority believing in genetic bases for suicide

Medical emergency · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Social Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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