scholarly journals Suicidal behaviour: an epidemiological and genetic study

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. STATHAM ◽  
A. C. HEATH ◽  
P. A. F. MADDEN ◽  
K. K. BUCHOLZ ◽  
L. BIERUT ◽  
...  

Background. Psychiatric history, familial history of suicide attempts, and certain traumatic life events are important predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. We examined the epidemiology and genetics of suicidality (i.e. reporting persistent suicidal thoughts or a plan or suicide attempt) in a large community-based sample of MZ and DZ twin pairs.Method. Diagnostic telephone interviews were conducted in 1992–3 with twins from an Australian twin panel first surveyed in 1980–82 (N=5995 respondents). Data were analysed using logistic regression models, taking into account twin pair zygosity and the history of suicidality in the respondent's co-twin.Results. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts was remarkably constant across birth cohorts 1930–1964, and across gender. Major psychiatric correlates were history of major depression, panic disorder, social phobia in women, alcohol dependence and childhood conduct problems. Traumatic events involving assault (childhood sexual abuse, rape or physical assault) or status-loss (job loss, loss of property or home, divorce), and the personality trait neuroticism, were also significantly associated with suicide measures. Prevalence of serious suicide attempts varied as a function of religious affiliation. After controlling for these variables, however, history of suicide attempts or persistent thoughts in the respondent's co-twin remained a powerful predictor in MZ pairs (odds ratio=3·9), but was not consistently predictive in DZ pairs. Overall, genetic factors accounted for approximately 45% of the variance in suicidal thoughts and behaviour (95% confidence interval 33–51%).Conclusions. Risk of persistent suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts is determined by a complex interplay of psychiatric history, neuroticism, traumatic life experiences, genetic vulnerability specific for suicidal behaviour and sociocultural risk or protective factors.

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Marzano ◽  
Dafni Katsampa ◽  
Jay-Marie Mackenzie ◽  
Ian Kruger ◽  
Nazli El-Gharbawi ◽  
...  

Background Choice of suicide method can strongly influence the outcome of suicidal behaviour, and is an important aspect of the process and planning involved in a suicide attempt. Yet, the reasons why individuals consider, choose or discard particular methods are not well understood. Aims This is the first study to explore method choices among people with a history of suicidal behaviour and individuals who have experienced, but not enacted, suicidal thoughts. Method Via an online survey, we gathered open-ended data about choice of methods in relation to suicidal thoughts and behaviours, including reasons for and against specific means of harm. Results A total of 712 respondents had attempted suicide, and a further 686 experienced suicidal thoughts (but not acted on them). Self-poisoning was the most commonly contemplated and used method of suicide, but most respondents had considered multiple methods. Method choices when contemplating suicide included a broader range of means than those used in actual attempts, and more unusual methods, particularly if perceived to be lethal, ‘easy’, quick, accessible and/or painless. Methods used in suicide attempts were, above all, described as having been accessible at the time, and were more commonly said to have been chosen impulsively. Key deterrents against the use of specific methods were the presence of and impact on other people, especially loved ones, and fears of injury and survival. Conclusions Exploration of method choices can offer novel insights into the transition from suicidal ideation to behaviour. Results underscore the need for preventative measures to restrict access to means and delay impulsive behaviour.


2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1189-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
INGA-LILL RAMBERG ◽  
DANUTA WASSERMAN

Background. Higher rates of suicidal behaviour have been reported among staff in mental health care than in the general population. However, no studies of these two groups have been carried out simultaneously, using the same methods. This study aims to investigate whether they differ in terms of age- and sex-standardized prevalence of suicidal behaviour.Methods. Identical questions about suicidal behaviour were addressed in the same year to a random sample of the general population and to mental health-care staff in Stockholm. Life weariness among the latter was also investigated.Results. Age- and sex-standardized past year prevalences of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts were found to be similar among mental health-care staff and the general population. Lifetime prevalence of both suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts was significantly higher among mental health-care staff than among the general population. Psychologists/social workers have a higher probability of: lifetime thoughts of life is not worth living; death wishes; and, suicidal thoughts, than nurses/assistant nurses.Conclusions. Reports on lifetime prevalence of suicidal behaviour may be biased in populations that are not reminded of these problems in everyday life. Data on past year prevalence of suicidal behaviour show clearly the similarity between the general population and the mental health-care staff.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Wilton ◽  
Mary Ann Chiasson ◽  
Vijay Nandi ◽  
Corina Lelutiu-Weinberger ◽  
Victoria Frye ◽  
...  

This study examined characteristics and correlates of lifetime suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among HIV-negative young Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (transwomen) between 16 and 29 years of age ( N = 161). In our sample, 36.6% of young Black MSM and transwomen reported a history of lifetime suicidal thoughts, while 16.1% reported prior suicide attempts. Using multivariable analysis, a history of intimate partner violence, greater psychological distress, and higher perceived sexuality discrimination were significantly associated with lifetime suicidal thoughts. Childhood sexual abuse history, greater psychological distress, lower score for outness, and higher perceived sexuality discrimination were significantly related to suicide attempts among young Black MSM and transwomen. Efforts to identify and understand factors associated with lifetime suicidal thoughts and attempts are urgently needed to inform the development and implementation of culturally relevant mental health prevention strategies for young Black MSM and transwomen.


1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Salib ◽  
Ann Joseph ◽  
Sheila Cawley

We examined the association between the psychiatric history of patients who were the subjects of a coroner's inquest and the recorded verdict, in a seven-year retrospective review. A suicide verdict was less frequently returned on patients who had inpatient psychiatric treatment compared to other unexpected deaths. History and diagnosis of an alcohol-related condition, method of death and intimation of intent were the main factors that appeared to be associated with the coroner's verdict. Age, sex, duration of illness, time and number of admissions, previous suicide attempts and treatment received did not appear to be significantly associated with the recorded verdict.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Rong Bang ◽  
Jae Hong Park

Objective: We conducted a cross-sectional school-based study to investigate psychiatric disorders and suicide risk among adolescents victimized by bullying. Method: The study was designed in two stages. In the screening stage, 33,038 middle school students were screened for psychopathology. Next, in the face-to-face interview stage, 1196 participants were assessed for psychiatric disorders using a structured diagnostic instrument. We also collected information about the participants’ experiences of bullying and history of suicidal ideation/attempts. Results: The results indicate that adolescents with a history of bullying victimization were more likely to be diagnosed with depression and psychosis than those without such a history. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that bullying victimization was significantly associated with suicide attempts even after adjusting for demographic characteristics, depression and psychosis. Conclusions: Bullying victimization is a risk factor for depression, psychosis, and suicide ideation and attempts. The findings warrant an early intervention and suicide prevention program for victimized students and anti-bullying policies in schools.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (09) ◽  
pp. 1470-1480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna J. Turner ◽  
Evan M. Kleiman ◽  
Matthew K. Nock

AbstractBackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) prospectively predicts suicidal thoughts and behaviors in civilian populations. Despite high rates of suicide among US military members, little is known about the prevalence and course of NSSI, or how NSSI relates to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, in military personnel.MethodsWe conducted secondary analyses of two representative surveys of active-duty soldiers (N = 21 449) and newly enlisted soldiers (N = 38 507) from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS).ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of NSSI is 6.3% (1.2% 12-month prevalence) in active-duty soldiers and 7.9% (1.3% 12-month prevalence) in new soldiers. Demographic risk factors for lifetime NSSI include female sex, younger age, non-Hispanic white ethnicity, never having married, and lower educational attainment. The association of NSSI with temporally primary internalizing and externalizing disorders varies by service history (new v. active-duty soldiers) and gender (men v. women). In both active-duty and new soldiers, NSSI is associated with increased odds of subsequent onset of suicidal ideation [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.66–1.81] and suicide attempts (adjusted OR = 2.02–2.43), although not with the transition from ideation to attempt (adjusted OR = 0.92–1.36). Soldiers with a history of NSSI are more likely to have made multiple suicide attempts, compared with soldiers without NSSI.ConclusionsNSSI is prevalent among US Army soldiers and is associated with significantly increased odds of later suicidal thoughts and behaviors, even after NSSI has resolved. Suicide risk assessments in military populations should screen for history of NSSI.


2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1065-1069
Author(s):  
Suzana Tosic-Golubovic ◽  
Olivera Zikic ◽  
Violeta Slavkovic ◽  
Gordana Nikolic ◽  
Maja Simonovic

Background/Aim. Depersonalization is considered to be the third leading symptom in psychiatric morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of depersonalization and different patterns of suicidal behaviour in patients suffering from depresssive disorder. Methods. The study included 119 depressed patients divided into two groups: the first group consisted of depressed patients with clinically manifested depersonalization according to the Cambridge Depresonalisation Scale presented score ? 70, and the second group consisted of the patients whithout clinically manifested depersonalization symptomatology, or, it was on the subsyndromal level. Subsequently, these two groups were compared regarding the suicidality indicators. Results. According to the Scale for Suicide Ideation of Beck, the depressed patients with depersonalization had statistically significantly higher scores regarding suicidal ideation, both active and passive, more often manifested suicidal desire, suicidal planning and overall suicidality (p < 0.000). Positive ideation, as a protective factor, was reduced in this group (p < 0.000). These patients had more previous suicide attempts (p < 0.001) and family history of suicides (p = 0.004). The depressed patients with depersonalization had 8 times more often active suicidal desire, 11 times more often passive suicidal desire and 5 times more often suicidal planning compared to patients without depersonalization. Conclusion. Suicidal potential, manifested in various patterns of suicidal behaviour among the patients suffering from depressive disorder with clinically manifested depersonalization is prominent. It is necessary to pay particular attention to depersonalization level during diagnostic and treatment procedure of the depressed patients having in mind that it may be associated with high suicidal potential.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. van Velzen ◽  
Maria R. Dauvermann ◽  
Lejla Colic ◽  
Luca M. Villa ◽  
Hannah S. Savage ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveIdentifying brain differences associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in young people is critical to understanding their development and generating effective approaches to early intervention and prevention. The ENIGMA Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours (ENIGMA-STB) consortium analyzed neuroimaging data harmonized across sites to examine brain morphology associated with STBs in youth.MethodsFirst, we examined associations among regional brain structure and STBs, which were assessed in six samples of youth with mood disorders, using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS; N=577). Second, we combined this sample with a larger sample (total 21 sites) in which STBs were assessed using various instruments. MRI metrics were compared among healthy controls without STBs (HC; N=688), clinical controls without STBs (CC; N=648), and young people with psychiatric diagnoses and current suicidal ideation (N=406). In separate analyses, MRI metrics were compared among HCs (N=335), CCs (N=768), and suicide attempters (N=254).ResultsIn the homogeneous C-SSRS sample, surface area of the frontal pole was lower in young people with mood disorders and history of actual suicide attempts (N=163) than those without (N=394; FDR-p<.001; Cohen’s d=.334). When expanding to more clinically heterogeneous samples, we also found lower surface area of the frontal pole in those with a history of suicide attempts (Cohen’s d=.22).ConclusionsLower frontal pole surface area may represent a vulnerability for a suicide attempt; however, more research is needed to understand the nature of its relationship to suicide risk.


Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Uk Lee ◽  
Mina Jeon ◽  
Jong-Ik Park

Abstract. Background: A suicidal person can go through different stages that include suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. For a few individuals, these can end up with suicide. However, there have been no studies investigating any differences in attitudes toward suicides among individuals with no suicidal thoughts, those with suicidal thoughts, and those with suicide attempts. Aims: This study was carried out to compare attitudes toward suicide among three different groups: individuals with a history of no suicidal thoughts, those with a history of suicidal thoughts, and those with a history of suicide attempts. Method: To examine Koreans' attitudes toward suicide, we analyzed the data from the 2013 National Suicide Survey involving 1,500 participants aged between 19 and 75 years. Results: Different attitudes toward suicide were found among the three groups. Persons reporting that they had made a suicide attempt in their life showed the most permissive attitudes toward suicide. Limitations: Since this research is based on cross-sectional data, it is difficult to eliminate the possibility of changes in attitude toward suicide completely after having a suicidal thought and suicide attempt. Conclusion: These results can be a useful source for constructing effective messages for suicide prevention campaigns and can ultimately contribute to an improvement in the public's perceptions of suicide in the future.


1982 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.S. Adam ◽  
J.G. Lohrenz ◽  
D. Harper ◽  
D. Streiner

This study examined the relationship of early parental loss to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a group of university students attending a university mental health clinic. Seventy-five subjects with a history of parental loss before the age of 16 were compared to a control group of 61 subjects from intact homes for the presence of suicidal ideation and overt suicidal behaviour. Subjects with a history of early loss demonstrated significantly more suicidal ideation and more had made suicide attempts than had subjects from intact homes, and this relationship was even more marked when the consequences of the loss in terms of the subsequent family environment were considered. Where the loss resulted in the long-term disruption of family life, suicidal trends were prominent; where the family life stabilized, they were minimal. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts occurred significantly more often among female subjects than males, and the loss of father and both parents was in excess of loss of mother among those with significant suicidal ideation. The findings support the hypothesis that early parental loss, under certain conditions, is a significant variable in the predisposition to suicidal behaviour and suggest avenues for further research.


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