In 2017 Australia saw the highest overall suicide rate in the past 10 years, with male suicide rates three times higher than in women. Since the mid-1980s there have been major changes in suicide epidemiology in Australia with large shifts in method of suicide among both men and women. This study examined method-specific suicide trends in Australian men over the past 40 years by state. Suicide mortality data for the period 1978 to 2017 was obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Mortality Database and log-linear Poisson regression analysis was used to analyse suicide mortality. This study found large differences between states in patterns and trends in suicide mortality from 1978 to 2017. Hanging, gas and firearms were the most common methods of suicide in Australia. We found statistically significant increasing trends in hanging suicide among men in all six states. The study findings highlight the growing concern of hanging-related suicide in all states in Australia since the late 1970s. New suicide prevention strategies focusing on the ubiquity and ease of hanging as a method will be needed in order for Australia to reduce suicide mortality in future.

Cross-cultural psychology evaluates how cultural factors influence people’s behaviour and mental processes. Cross-cultural psychology aims to understand individual differences and commonalities, and to develop an appreciation, respect, and knowledge of cultures distinct from one’s own. Compassion refers to the emotional response of understanding, empathising with, and desiring to alleviate or reduce the suffering or distress of others. Compassion involves noticing the pain or difficulties another person is experiencing and being motivated to help, often characterised by acts of kindness, support, and caring. This entry paper explores the intersection of these two concepts, illustrating how insights from cross-cultural psychology can contribute to fostering compassion.

(1) Background: This systematic review presents an overview of psychological interventions in suicide published between 2013 and 2023 in Spain and Japan, sparked by Spain’s alarming recent increase in suicide rates and the potential exemplar of Japan’s reduction efforts. (2) Methods: Following the PRISMA checklist, the databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PsycInfo were searched using the terms [(“suicide” OR “suicidal behavior” OR “suicidal attempt” OR “suicidal thought” OR “suicidal intention”) AND (“prevention” OR “intervention” OR “psychosocial treatment” OR “Dialectical Behavior Therapy” OR “Cognitive Therapy” OR “psychotherap*”)] AND [(“Spain” OR “Spanish”) OR (“Japan” OR “Japanese”)]. We included articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals, written in English, Spanish, and Japanese between 2013 and 2023 that presented, designed, implemented, or assessed psychological interventions focused on suicidal behavior. (3) Results: 46 studies were included, concerning prevention, treatment, and training interventions. The risk of bias was low in both Spanish and Japanese studies, despite the lack of randomization of the samples. We identified common characteristics, such as psychoeducation and coping skills. Assertive case management was only highlighted in Japan, making an emphasis on active patient involvement in his/her care plan. (4) Conclusions: The findings will help professionals to incorporate into their interventions broader, more comprehensive approaches to consider more interpersonal components.

(1) Background: This study aimed to translate and develop a culturally adapted Japanese version of the brief form of the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ-15) and to evaluate its psychometric properties for Japanese adults. (2) Methods: In the pilot test, we asked five Japanese university students to rate their understanding. Then, a final sample of 428 adults between 18 and 40 years old (45.1%male and 54.0% female) completed the Japanese version of the ICQ-15. To examine the psychometric properties of the ICQ-15, item analyses, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency analyses, and convergent and divergent validity analysis were performed. (3) Results: Although the items did not follow a normal distribution, most of them showed a good homogeneity index, suggesting good internal consistency between the items. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the five-factor model had acceptable fit indices. Spearman correlations between the ICQ-15 and the Communication Skills Questionnaire (CSQ) supported its convergent validity, while correlations between the ICQ-15 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) supported its divergent validity. (4) Discussion and conclusions: A Japanese version of the ICQ-15 was developed showing good psychometric properties to be used to assess interpersonal competence in adults. This questionnaire demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency reliability among Japanese adults. A future study will investigate the criterion-related validity and temporal stability of the scale.

(1) Background: Understanding suicide risk across cultures requires examining both universal and culturally specific factors that inform assessment and intervention. This study explores the influence of interpersonal variables—such as interpersonal competence, perceived social support, and constructs from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS)—on suicidal behaviour in two culturally distinct samples: young adults from Spain and Japan. (2) Methods: A total of [437] participants (Spanish sample: n = 260; Japanese sample: n = 177) completed validated measures assessing suicide risk, depression, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, acquired capability for suicide, interpersonal competence, and perceived social support. Moderated mediation and SEM comparative analyses were conducted to identify predictors of suicide risk in each cultural context. (3) Results: Social support was a consistent protective factor against depression and suicidal ideation, and interpersonal competence showed more contextual protective effects, significant only in the Japanese sample. Perceived burdensomeness stood out as a robust predictor of depression and suicidal ideation in both samples, and suicidal ideation was strongly associated with suicidal behaviour, while acquired capability for suicide and interpersonal competence did not show a direct association with it. (4) Conclusions: The findings highlight the protective role of interpersonal competence and perceived social support in the progression to suicidal behavior, suggesting cultural similarities and differences in how these factors operate.