SUICIDE IN SCI - A PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY

Suicide is a leading cause of mortality in persons with spinal cord in jury (SCI), with 5-10% of individuals with SCI committing suicide by o vert means (e.g., M. J. DeVivo, K. J. Black, J. S. Richards, & S. L. S tover, 1991; S. W. Charlifue & K. A. Gerhart, 1991). This current case study describes a psychological autopsy of a 33-year-old man with SCI with a history of chronic pain and substance-drug abuse who committed suicide 3 years and 7 months following aT12 incomplete SCI. The resul ts of postmortem interviews helped clarify events and factors that may have led to his suicide. Contributory factors identified Included poo r social adjustment, poor body image, unresolved chronic pain, family problems, and prolonged history of substance and prescription drug abu se.