Suicidal Behaviour ─ Underlying Dynamics

Suicidal Behaviour: Underlying dynamics is a wide ranging collection of articles that builds upon an earlier volume by the same editor (Suicidal Behaviour: Assessment of people-at-risk, 2010) and delves deeper into the dynamics of suicide by synthesizing significant psychological and interdisciplinary perspectives. The volume brings together varied conceptualizations by scholars across disciplines from around the globe, thereby adding on to the available theoretical understandings as well as providing research based inputs for practitioners in the field of suicidal behaviour.

This book contains sixteen chapters divided into two broad sections. The volume opens with a discussion about the Theoretical Underpinnings of suicidal behaviour spread through the initial eight chapters that conceptualize the phenomenon from different vantage points of genetics, personality theory, cognitive and affective processes, stress and assessment theories. The second section brings in the Varied Research Evidences and Assessment Perspectives from different populations and groups. Building upon the theoretical foundations the chapters in this section discuss the nuances of dealing with suicidal behaviours among sexual minority populations, alcoholics, military personnel, and within in specific socio-cultural groups. The section closes with an intense focus on a significant issue encountered often in clinical practice, that of assessment of suicide risk, and ways of resolving the cultural, ethical and legal dilemmas.

Updesh Kumar is Scientist ‘F’ and Head, Mental Health Division, Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), New Delhi.