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Biomedical subjects

G Sonneck

Publications and source records attributed to G Sonneck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Sex differential for suicide among Austrian age cohorts.

The suicide mortality data in Austria were studied over a period of four decades of continuous reporting. The data were studied for age, period and cohort effects. For the period 1951 to 1990 suicides among eight birth cohorts, born between 1932 and 1975, show a marked sex differential in time trends. Up to 1985, the rates increase in a constant manner for males in all age groups, in contrast to females. Results obtained using the Poisson regression models demonstrate a 35% (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 1.35%; 95% CI, 1.27-1.45) increased risk for male cohorts born later compared with those born earlier. The risk for later-born females was not increased (IRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91-1.17). Explanations such as improved living conditions for Austrian women remain tentative, however, as age, period and cohort effects cannot be separated as independent variables in the suicide mortality data available in Austria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Imitative suicide on the Viennese subway.

The number of subway suicides in Vienna increased dramatically between 1984 and mid-1987. In the second-half of 1987 there was a decrease of 75% which has been sustained for 5 yr. This reduction in subway suicides began when a working group of the Austrian Association for Suicide Prevention developed media guidelines and initiated discussions with the media which culminated with an agreement to abstain from reporting on cases of suicide. The characteristics of suicide and attempted suicide on the Viennese subway are discussed and appropriate guidelines for media coverage of suicidal acts are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Austrian anomalous data in sex-specific trends in suicide rates of central Europe].

To report on suicides among a nation's population over time 4 types of figures, hierarchically related, are used. The total yearly number (1), the crude rate (2), the set of age adjusted rates (3) and the standardized rate (4). Only the latter 2 figures can be used for comparisons among different nations as they adjusted for confounding by age. For the period 1970 to 1990 Austria's 24.4/100,000 person-years (women 13.2, men 38.0), is higher than all of its neighbors except Hungary. We observed, in contrast to reports from other countries, a sex differential in time trends for the same period: male rates increased, whereas those for females decreased over time. Trends in neighboring nations indicated for both sexes always in the same direction. A recent (1986 to 1991) drop in both male and female suicide rates could indicate an end to the observed exception. Thus the sex differential in Austrian rates should be monitored closely in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[How reliable are official data on attempted suicides? (based on Vienna 1989 statistics)].

The numbers for suicide attempts in Vienna 1989 from the following sources are compared: Statistical Department of the City of Vienna, hospital system of the City of Vienna, Vienna ambulance service, and Vienna Crisis Intervention Center. There are striking differences in the numbers reported by these institutions. In the data of the Statistical Department for the time period 1983 to 1989 there is a drastic decline of 56.5%, men exceeding women for the first time in decades. These results are not in agreement with the clinical experience of the authors. It is therefore possible that the official statistics underestimate the number of suicide attempts in Vienna. It appears the official data are markedly influenced by changes in the methods of data collection. Therefore, official numbers do not seem to be reliable and cannot be used to compare changes in suicide attempt frequency in the long run either. Possible reasons for the uncertainty of official numbers on suicide attempts are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology of suicide in Austria 1980 to 1990].

This article investigates the suicide rates in Austria from 1980 to 1990 according to age groups and the methods used. In the years investigated the overall suicide rate increased until 1986, followed by a decline until 1990. The suicide rate in women shows a gradual linear increase with age, whilst in men there is a biphasic curve with a steep increase in teenagers and young men in their early twenties, followed by a plateau and a second steep increase as from 65 years of age, whereby the increase from "60-64 years" to the age group "over 85 years" is 134%. Regarding the age groups the decline over the past years in women is biggest in the groups "35-39 years" and "65-69 years", with men a decrease is present in the age groups from 20 to 50 years. Concerning the methods used, hanging is the most common mode of suicide in both women (36.4%) and men (48.8%). Suicide in the elderly--particularly in old men--which has increased internationally over the past few decades is targeted as the major area for vigorous preventive measures in Austria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Crisis intervention].

The main characteristic of suicide prevention is the flexibility in the methods used. The methods can never be chosen haphazardly, but have to be fitting to the situation and the individual patient. Work on the relationship, confrontation with suicidal behavior, working on actual circumstances of life and the social environment are the main issues. The "HOW" will have to vary according the circumstances: knowing the diversity of human beings, human crisis and its causes vary, and therefore the methods have to adjust to this fact.

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1990

Contribution to suicide risk assessment: II. On the practice of suicide risk assessment.

A simple method for predicting new crises after parasuicide is introduced. This method makes it possible, without any previous knowledge, to filter out 50% of the risk patients, who may then receive special preventive activities. An examination of the practice of evaluating the danger of suicide shows that such judgments are based on four criteria: (1) risk groups, (2) crises and crisis progression, (3) suicidal development, and (4) the presuicidal syndrome.

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1986

[Crisis intervention].

The main aspects of crisis intervention are an immediate onset without time-consuming referrals, activities of the helper always keeping in mind the biopycho-social context, and assistance for selfhelp. Helping people in crises minds to find out and develop the possibilities of the afflicted person aiming that he can overcome his crisis by himself, gaining maturity and reaching a less crisis-prone life style.

Crisis Intervention↗