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Introduction and purpose of the research
The organizational behavior and management literature has traditionally shown that employment can be both beneficial and a source of personal development and growth for individuals ([48] Maslow, 1943). To many, the workplace provides a place of belonging. Yet, in this age of rapid economic change, it can be a life-threatening stressor. The number of suicides and suicide attempts by employees keeps increasing in large organizations, in particular those publicly traded on the stock market ([10] Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2012a). In fact, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the USA with annual rates that are greater than homicide ([11] Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2012b; [36] Goldsmith et al. , 2002). In 2009, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the USA, the second leading cause of death for the 25-34 age group, and the fourth leading cause of death for the 35-44 and 45-54 age groups ([14] Center for Disease Control, 2009). Suicide attempts are much higher in numbers. In 2010, in the 15-24 age group, there were 100-200 attempts for every completed suicide. Among adults 65 years and older, there were four attempts for every completed suicide ([15] Center for Disease Control, 2010). Over 376,300 people were treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries and over 163,480 were hospitalized due to self-inflicted injury ([15] Center for Disease Control, 2010).
Also in 2010, workplace violence - including assaults and suicides - accounted for a staggering 18 percent of all work-related fatal occupational injuries ([11] BLS, 2012b) showed a record high self-inflicted injuries with 270 deaths ([11] BLS, 2012b), an increase of 22.2 percent compared to 1995. Because those figured are based on reports from employers, the actual number of work-related deaths may be greater. Suicide is estimated to be 50-60 percent higher than the official rate due to the stigma issues of recording it as such ([45] Kinder and Cooper, 2009). The number of suicide attempts also tends to be greater and often goes undeclared. It is estimated that, worldwide, between 500,000 and 1.2 million people commit suicide each year ([70] United Nations, 1996). Although some professions are renown for being affected by work suicide - such as the police ([72]...