AAS Suicide Research & Data Analysis 2

Question 1

Which data source does the CDC use as the primary national surveillance system for tracking suicide mortality in the United States?

Accepted Answer

National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)

Answer

The NVDRS collects detailed, incident-level data on violent deaths including suicides from state vital statistics, medical examiner/coroner reports, and law enforcement records.

Question 2

What statistical concept refers to the ratio of observed suicide deaths to expected deaths based on population rates, used to compare subgroup risk?

Accepted Answer

Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)

Answer

The SMR compares observed deaths in a specific group to what would be expected if general population rates applied, making it useful for quantifying excess suicide risk.

Question 3

In psychological autopsy studies, information is typically gathered from which primary source?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective interviews with family members and close associates

Answer

Psychological autopsies reconstruct the decedent's mental state and life circumstances through structured interviews with informants who knew the individual.

Question 4

Which methodological limitation is most associated with cross-sectional surveys measuring suicidal ideation?

Accepted Answer

Inability to establish temporal sequence between risk factors and ideation

Answer

Cross-sectional designs capture a single point in time, making it impossible to determine whether identified risk factors preceded or followed suicidal ideation.

Question 5

What does 'attempt-to-completion ratio' measure in suicide epidemiology?

Accepted Answer

The number of nonfatal attempts relative to each suicide death in a population

Answer

The attempt-to-completion ratio estimates how many nonfatal attempts occur for every suicide death, typically cited as approximately 25:1 in the general population.

(AAS) American Association of Suicidology Certification Practice Test

(AAS) American Association of Suicidology Certification Practice Test

AAS Suicide Research & Data Analysis 2