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

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Lethal Locations: An Application of Opportunity Theory to Motel Suicide, a Research Note
Language: English
Authors: Wasserman, Ira M., Stack, Steven
Source: Death Studies. Sep 2008 32(8):757-767.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2008
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Substance Abuse, Suicide, Predictor Variables, Housing, Probability, Stress Variables, Multivariate Analysis, Divorce, Place of Residence, Models
DOI: 10.1080/07481180802289689
ISSN: 0748-1187
Abstract: 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. (Contains 3 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 12
Entry Date: 2008
Accession Number: EJ808413
Database: ERIC
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Abstract: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. (Contains 3 tables.)
ISSN:0748-1187
DOI:10.1080/07481180802289689