Suicide by Self-Immolation, 1st ed. 2021
Biopsychosocial and Transcultural Aspects

This book addresses biopsychosocial and transcultural determinants of suicide by self-immolation, populations at risk throughout the world and prevention strategies specifically designed for young women in fragile environments. Self-immolation, the act of burning oneself as a means of suicide, is rare in high-income countries, and is usually a symbolic display of political protest among men that generally receives international media coverage. In contrast, in low- and-middle-income countries it is highly prevalent, primarily affects women, and may be one of the most common suicide methods in regions of Central and South Asia and parts of Africa. Psychiatric conditions, like adjustment disorders, traumatic stress disorders, and major depression, and family dynamics that include intimate partner violence, forced marriages, the threat of honor killings, and interpersonal family conflicts in a cultural context of war-related life events, poverty, forced migration and ethnic conflicts are important contributing factors. Written by over 40 academic psychiatrists from all continents, sociologists, and historians, the book covers topics such as region-specific cultural and historical factors associated with suicide; the role of religion and belief systems; marginalization, oppression, retraumatization and suicide risk; countertransference aspects of working in burn centers; responsible reporting and the media; and suicide prevention strategies to protect those at risk.

César A. Alfonso, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, Visiting Professor of Psychiatry at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Universitas Indonesia. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and Fellow of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis, Academy of Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry, and New York Academy of Medicine. Professor Alfonso was born in La Habana, Cuba and spent formative years in Madrid and San Juan. He migrated to the USA to attend Yale University for undergraduate studies, followed by New York Medical College for medical school, psychiatry residency, fellowship training in consultation and liaison psychiatry and certification in psychoanalysis. He received formal training in music and studio art. His earlier research focused on consultation and liaison psychiatry, suicide prevention, bioethics, HIV psychiatry, human sexuality, and psycho-oncology. His recent work includes psychodynamic determinants of treatment adherence, the clinical care of persons with low vision and medical multi-morbidities, and the design and implementation of psychotherapy training programs worldwide. With support from the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) he piloted intensive psychotherapy training programs for psychiatrists in low- and middle- income countries. Professor Alfonso served as President of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis (2010-2012). He is currently Chair of the Psychotherapy Section of the WPA. He is the USA Chairperson for the World Association of Dynamic Psychiatry. He has published 75 articles, 17 book chapters, 3 edited monographs, and an edited book, Advances in Psychodynamic Psychiatry (2018; Guilford Press). He serves as Editor of Psychodynamic Psychiatry. He is the recipient of the Teichner Scholar Award twice, with visiting professorships in Northwell/Staten Island (2015-2016

Raises awareness of the magnitude of self-immolation

Provides a comprehensive review of important factors contributing to suicide by self-immolation

Discusses sociological, ethnocultural and historical factors