Biomedical subjects

Teresa Matschnig

Publications and source records attributed to Teresa Matschnig.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Suicide behind bars -- an international review].

OBJECTIVE: International surveys found an increase of mentally disordered individuals in correctional institutions. As a consequence, suicides and suicide rates in jails and prisons are increasing. Mental health services and criminal justice authorities have identified this problem, but there is a lack of knowledge concerning risk factors for inmate suicides and practicable prevention. METHOD: A literature research was conducted through "medline" searching for studies addressing the problem of jail and/or prison suicide. Subsequently, results of relevant surveys were compared and depicted in several tables. RESULTS: Suicide rates in correctional facilities significantly exceed those in the general male population. Suicide rates in custody have been increasing within the last decades. Pre-trial prisoners have the highest suicide risk within the total prison population. Long-term sentences, single-cell use, mental illness, substance abuse and a history of suicidality are associated with an increased suicide risk. DISCUSSION: The impact of suicide prevention strategies and future directions of research in this high-risk setting are highlighted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Do monthly or seasonal variations exist in suicides in a high-risk setting?

An unequal distribution of suicides over months and seasons has been a consistent finding in epidemiological surveys on suicide. Jails and prisons are a high-risk setting for suicide all over the world. The high prevalence of both outward and self-directed violence in prison populations indicates dysfunctional central serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission and, therefore, could account for an unequal distribution of suicides over months and seasons due to underlying bioclimatic factors. Within a total survey of suicides in the Austrian penitentiary system, the weekly, monthly and seasonal distribution of custodial suicides between 1947 and 1999 was studied. After an explorative comparison of suicide distribution over weekdays, months and seasons of the year by chi2-tests, a harmonic Poisson regression model was performed to detect seasonality of suicides. No unequal distribution of suicides was evident over the 53-year period. A limitation of this study was its sample size of 412, a low number compared with population-based samples, where a spring suicide peak was consistently found. An explanation for lacking seasonality could be that bioclimatic factors are less relevant in urban, industrialized areas, where jails and prisons usually are located. One of the core characteristics of penal institutions is the limited possibility for communication and social interaction. This social isolation is independent of seasonal changes. If the individual's possibilities for social interactions are limited, the influence of seasonal changes in social activities may be less relevant. This could explain the absence of seasonal changes in custodial suicide incidence.

Austria↗

PubMed2004

Suicide in custody: case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Few risk factors and indicators of vulnerability for suicide in custody are known so far. AIMS: A case-control study was conducted to investigate the relevance of criminal history, psychiatric morbidity and social integration to suicide in prison. METHOD: For every suicide that occurred in an Austrian correctional institution between 1975 and 1999, two controls matched for correctional institution, gender, nationality, age, custodial status and time of admission were selected. Psychiatric characteristics, previous suicidal behaviour, criminal history and indicators of social integration were compared. RESULTS: Of 250 recorded suicides, 220 personal files were available and matched to 440 controls. The most important predictors for suicide in custody were a history of suicidality (status following attempted suicide and suicide threat), psychiatric diagnosis, psychotropic medication, a highly violent index offence and single- cell accommodation. CONCLUSIONS: A significant finding is the importance of suicidal behaviour as an indicator of risk of suicide in correctional institutions, which until now has been a matter of debate. This study demonstrates the need for staff to take suicidal behaviour as seriously in custodial settings as in any other circumstances.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

The relevance of suicidal behaviour in jail and prison suicides.

PURPOSE: Suicide rates in correctional institutions have been increasing during the last decades. There has been little interest in whether suicidal ideation and intent has been documented by non-medical prison staff (reports of attempted suicide, suicide threats, self-harm), and whether these signs of suicidality had the consequence of adequate intervention efforts. METHODS: The personal files of inmates who committed suicide in the 29 Austrian jails and prisons during the last 25 years (1975-1999) were included. We analysed personal characteristics, criminological data, circumstances of custody and information about psychiatric disorders and treatment. RESULTS: Of a total of 250 suicides, 220 personal files were available and included. Suicide attempts were known in 50% of all suicides and 37% had expressed suicidality. In >20%, non-medical staff had documented signs of suicidality, but no further preventive action (e.g. referral to psychiatric care) had taken place. CONCLUSION: Signs of suicidality play an important role in vulnerability profiles for jail and prison suicides and should have the minimal consequence of further psychiatric care.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Psychosocial characteristics of victims of suicide in prisons].

BACKGROUND: Besides some cases reported by the media in recent years about prison inmates who committed suicide, hardly anything is known concerning social, criminological and psychiatric characteristics of suicide victims in jails and prisons in Austria. It therefore seems necessary to evaluate jail and prison suicides in order to establish effective means of prevention. METHODS: A study was conducted evaluating all suicides in Austrian prisons between 1975 and 1999. In addition to nationality, education and working status, other indicators of social integration and psychiatric history of suicide victims were studied. RESULTS: 220 personal files of 250 suicides were available. During the observation period the suicide rate of imprisoned foreigners decreased slightly (mean 106.6/100,000), whereas the suicide rate of Austrian citizens increased significantly (mean 172.0/100,000). Of all suicide victims, 41% had neither finished school nor had they any professional education. 44% were unemployed before incarceration, 50% did not work while incarcerated. A high frequency of suicidal behavior amongst suicide victims before committing suicide (49% suicide attempts, 37% suicide threats), and a high prevalence of mental disorders (37% psychopharmacological treatment, 48.6% were assessed by a psychiatrist) could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Screening instruments should be applied which are easy to handle for prison officers and indicate the appropriate management of inmates at a high suicide risk.

Adult↗