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

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 f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Death studies 2008-09, Vol.32 (8), p.757-767
Main Authors: Wasserman, Ira M., Stack, Steven
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Demography
Divorce
Female
Health technology assessment
Hotels & motels
Housing
Humans
Male
Michigan
Models, Theoretical
Multivariate Analysis
Place of Residence
Predictor Variables
Probability
Regression analysis
Rescue Work
Risk Factors
Stress Variables
Studies
Substance Abuse
Suicide
Suicide - prevention & control
Suicide - psychology
Suicide - statistics & numerical data
Suicide, Attempted
Suicides & suicide attempts
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0748-1187
1091-7683
DOI:10.1080/07481180802289689