Parental bonding and attitudes toward suicide among medical college students in Japan

Hashimoto, Kojiro; Sugawara, Norio; Tanaka, Osamu; Nakamura, Kazuhiko; Yasui-Furukori, Norio

More than 90% of suicide victims were diagnosed with psychiatric problems at the time of death, and approximately two thirds had been diagnosed with depression. 2, 3 Depressed patients tend to consult physicians other than psychiatrists, and a variety of medical professionals, including general practitioners, the staff of emergency departments, and non-psychiatric nurses, are key interveners for preventing suicide. Among medical staff members, negative attitudes toward suicide such as anger could affect nontherapeutic reactions to suicidal individuals. 4 Furthermore, a belief that suicide is a personal right was negatively related to suicide intervention skills. 5 An accurate assessment of the attitudes toward suicide held by medical staff members is relevant. Previous studies have shown that difficulties with parental bonding during childhood could be a predisposing factor for the onset of many psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depressive states, and maladjusted behaviors. [6] [7] [8] Parental bonding and premorbid personality traits play an important role in shaping the developmental trajectory of an individual, including his/her ability to adjust to stressful events. Although few studies have assessed the relationship between parental bonding and mental conditions among medical staff members, 9, 10 no study has evaluated the association between parental bonding and attitudes toward suicide.