Suicidal thoughts and attempts in First Nations communities: links to parental Indian residential school attendance across development

AbstractThe Indian residential school (IRS) system in Canada ran for over a century until the last school closed in 1996. Conditions in the IRSs resulted in generations of Indigenous children being exposed to chronic childhood adversity. The current investigation used data from the 2008–2010 First Nations Regional Health Survey to explore whether parental IRS attendance was associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts in childhood, adolescence and in adulthood among a representative sample of First Nations peoples living on-reserve across Canada. Analyses of the adult sample in Study 1 (unweighted n=7716; weighted n=186,830) revealed that having a parent who attended IRS was linked with increased risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts in adolescence and adulthood. Although females were negatively affected by having a parent who attended IRS, the link with suicidal ideation in adulthood was greater for males. Analyses of the youth sample in Study 2 (unweighted n=2883; weighted n=30,190) confirmed that parental IRS attendance was associated with an increased risk for suicidal ideation and attempts. In contrast to the adult sample, parental IRS attendance had a significantly greater relation with suicidal ideation among female youth. A significant interaction also emerged between parental IRS attendance and age in the youth sample, with the influence of parental attendance being particularly strong among youth ages 12–14, compared with those 15–17 years. These results underscore the need for culturally relevant early interventions for the large proportions of Indigenous children and youth intergenerationally affected by IRSs and other collective traumas.

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Suicide Risk in Cancer Patients – Are We Prepared?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1137 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S667-S667

Author(s):

M. Alves ◽

A. Tavares

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

General Population ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Active Listening ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Wish To Die ◽

Physical Risk Factors ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionIndividuals with cancer are at increased risk for suicidal ideation and behaviour when compared to the general population. Suicidal thoughts are sometimes minimized and considered by clinicians as a normal reaction to diagnosis of oncological disease. Less severe forms of suicidal ideation, such a fleeting wish to die may happen in all stages of the disease.ObjectivesWe aim to highlight the cases of cancer patients that present an imminent suicide risk and its related psychopathological aspects, psychosocial and physical risk factors that may increase the probability of suicidal attempt.MethodsNon systematic literature review through the Medline and Clinical Key databases, with time constraints.ResultsIndividuals with cancer have twice the risk of suicide compared to the general population. It was found that suicidal thoughts are more common in patients with advanced disease, in hospital or in palliative care settings or in those who are experiencing severe pain, depression, cognitive impairment or delirium. The first months following the diagnosis are the period of greatest risk and the highest suicide risk occurs in men with respiratory cancers. Death by suicide occurs more often in cancer patients in the advanced stages of disease.ConclusionsAn appropriate therapeutic response should include empathy, active listening, management of realistic expectations and permission to discuss psychological distress. The first intervention should focus on determining imminent risk of suicidal behaviour and act for patient safety.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Psychosocial factors that distinguish between men and women who have suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide: findings from a national probability sample of adults

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291721005195 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Cara Richardson ◽

Kathryn A. Robb ◽

Sally McManus ◽

Rory C. O'Connor

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Childhood Adversity ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Men And Women

Abstract Background Previous research has highlighted the importance of understanding which psychosocial factors distinguish between those with suicide thoughts compared to those who attempt suicide. This study aims to investigate these distinguishing factors further within an ideation-to-action framework and to explore sex differences in suicide risk. Methods Participants (n = 7546, aged 16+) were from the cross-sectional Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS; 2014) of England. Face-to-face and self-completion questionnaires assessed lifetime suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide attempts, demographic characteristics, life experiences, social support, health and mental illness. Multinomial logistic regression examined factors differentiating between those with suicidal ideation only and suicide attempt histories (with or without suicidal ideation) in men and women. Results Overall men were less likely to report suicidal thoughts and attempts, compared to females. More factors differentiated between suicidal thoughts and attempts in women compared to in men; these included hospital admission for mental illness, below degree level qualifications, being single and childhood adversity. In men, factors which significantly differentiated between suicidal thoughts and attempts included self-report of professional diagnosis of mental illness and childhood adversity. Higher levels of social support were associated with being in the suicidal thoughts group v. in the attempts group in men. Conclusion This study identified some key differences between men and women in factors associated with suicide attempts compared to suicidal thoughts. The findings support the use of the ideation-to-action framework to investigate sex differences in suicidal behaviour. Future research should examine the extent to which these factors are associated with suicide risk over time.

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A Bayesian multilevel analysis of the longitudinal associations between relationship quality and suicidal ideation and attempts among youth with bipolar disorder

10.31234/osf.io/ntgrx ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Craig Sewall ◽

Jeffrey M. Girard

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Longitudinal Associations ◽

Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

ABSTRACTBackground: Youth with bipolar disorder (BD) are at high risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors and frequently experience interpersonal impairment, which is a risk factor for suicide. Yet, no study to date has examined the longitudinal associations between relationship quality in family/peer domains and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among youth with BD. Thus, we investigated how between-person differences--reflecting the average relationship quality across time--and within-person changes, reflecting recent fluctuations in relationship quality, act as distal and/or proximal risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts. Methods: We used longitudinal data from the Course and Outcome of Bipolar Youth Study (N=413). Relationship quality variables were decomposed into stable (i.e. average) and varying (i.e. recent) components and entered, along with major clinical covariates, into separate Bayesian multilevel models predicting SI and suicide attempt. We also examined how the relationship quality effects interacted with age and sex. Results: Poorer average relationship quality with parents (β= -0.33, 95% Bayesian Highest Density Interval (HDI) [-0.54, -0.11]) or friends (β= -0.33, 95% HDI [-0.55, -0.11]) were longitudinally associated with increased risk of SI but not suicide attempt. Worsening recent relationship quality with parents (β= -0.10, 95% HDI [-0.19, -0.03]) and, to a lesser extent, friends (β= -0.06, 95% HDI [-0.15, 0.03]), were also longitudinally associated with increased risk of SI. Worsening recent relationship quality with parents may also be associated with increased risk of suicide attempt (β= -0.13, 95% HDI [-0.29, 0.03]). The effects of certain relationship quality variables were moderated by gender but not age. Conclusions: Among youth with BD, having poorer average relationship quality with peers and/or parents represents a distal risk factor for SI but not suicide attempts. Additionally, worsening recent relationship quality with parents that is may be a time-sensitive indicator of increased risk for SI or suicide attempt.

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Factors Affecting Initiation and Duration of Breastfeeding Among Off-Reserve Indigenous Children in Canada

International Indigenous Policy Journal ◽

10.18584/iipj.2019.10.1.5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Isabella Romano ◽

Martin Cooke ◽

Piotr Wilk

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

School Attendance ◽

Breastfeeding Initiation ◽

Birth Mothers ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Indigenous Children ◽

Region Of Residence ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Duration Of Breastfeeding ◽

Lower Household Income

Indigenous children in Canada are less likely to be breastfed compared to non-Indigenous children; however, little information about rates and correlates of breastfeeding exist. We used a nationally representative survey to examine breastfeeding initiation (n = 9,330) and duration (n = 6,760) among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children. In our sample, 72.5% of children had been breastfed, and 57.9% of these individuals were breastfed until six months. Factors associated with increased breastfeeding included mothers’ educational attainment, children’s weight at birth, mothers' residential school attendance, and region of residence. Having Indian Status and lower household income were associated with lower breastfeeding initiation and duration. Our findings suggest that targeted efforts to encourage and support breastfeeding among Indigenous women are needed. Additional research using contemporary data are required in Canada.

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Manic Reparation

Bulletin for the Study of Religion ◽

10.1558/bsor.v39i1.003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 7-12

Author(s):

Barbara Greenberg

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

School System ◽

Prime Minister ◽

United Church Of Canada ◽

Residential School ◽

Manic Reparation ◽

Past Injustices

The Canadian public has heard many apologies from various governments and church institutions over the last 20 years. In June 2008 Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to First Nations for the federal government’s role in the residential school system. First Nations have also received apologies from the United Church of Canada (UCC) for its participation in these schools. Much of the work being done on the process of apology assesses the apology in order to judge if it is convincing and worthwhile.My work asks the question: are apologies effective in their attempt to make amends for past injustices, or are they examples of what Klein calls “manic reparation”?

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696 Quality of sleep is the only predictor of suicide during Covid-19 lockdown in University students?

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.694 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A272-A272

Author(s):

Alessandra Castelnuovo ◽

Samantha Mombelli ◽

Daniela Bottoni ◽

Antonella Somma ◽

Andrea Fossati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sleep Disorders ◽

Social Stress ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Suicidal Thoughts

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 epidemic led to great psychological and social stress, related to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, suicidal risk and behavior, and changes in daily routine. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown in Italian students. We focused on perceived sleep quality, anxiety and depression symptoms, and mostly on risk of suicide. Methods A total of 307 students (mean age 22.84±2.68) completed Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). In our study, we focused on item 9 of BDI-II, that is related to suicide. We divided our sample on presence or absence of suicidal ideation based on this item. Results We found that 30.1% showed depressive, while 38.2% anxious symptoms. Concerning item 9 of BDI-II (suicidal thoughts or wishes), 84.7% answered that they do not have any thoughts of killing themselves, while 15.3% answered that they have some suicidal ideation. Concerning sleep variables, we found that 58% of our sample showed a PSQI total score higher than 5 (poor quality of sleep), and a global worsening in sleep quality and increase of insomnia both in student with and without suicidal ideation. Conclusion Our results on risk of suicide are in line with literature. Recent reviews focused on suicidal ideation in medical students found that depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation are common among medical students, finding a prevalence of suicidal ideation of 11%. Several studies suggest that sleep disorders are a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Our findings show that sleep cannot considered a predictive factor of risk of suicide during health emergency, because the risk is polyfactorial. Support (if any) None

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Canada’s history of failing to provide medical care for Indigenous children

Paediatrics & Child Health ◽

10.1093/pch/pxaa109 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rakhshan Kamran

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Human Rights ◽

First Nations ◽

Social Services ◽

Current Status ◽

House Of Commons ◽

Canadian Government ◽

Indigenous Children ◽

History Of ◽

Services And Supports

Abstract In December 2007, the House of Commons unanimously supported Jordan’s Principle, a commitment that all First Nations children would receive the health care products, social services, and supports, and education they need, in memory of Jordan River Anderson. However, the process of applying for Jordan’s Principle was convoluted and not transparent, leaving several cases not being responded to. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the definition and implementation of Jordan’s Principle to be racist and discriminatory in 2016, ordering the Canadian government to make immediate changes. Failing to make changes to Jordan’s Principle, the Canadian government was found to be noncompliant with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders in 2018. This article provides one case example of Jordan’s Principle that was not responded to, details on the current status of Jordan’s Principle, and information on the recent implementation of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

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756 The Moderating Influence of Depression on Insomnia and Suicidal Ideation in a Military Sample

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.753 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A294-A295

Author(s):

Emma Palermo ◽

Jennifer Goldschmied ◽

Elaine Boland ◽

Elizabeth A Klingaman ◽

Philip Gehrman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Research University ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Risk And Resilience ◽

Depression Severity ◽

Significant Interaction Effect ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Military personnel are at an increased risk for suicide compared to the general population, making it important to develop a deeper understanding of which factors contribute to this elevated risk. Given that suicidal ideation (SI) is one of the strongest predictors of suicide attempts, understanding factors that underlie SI may improve prevention efforts. Insomnia and depression both serve as independent risk factors for SI, and therefore the aim of this study was to examine the extent to which depressive symptoms moderate the association between insomnia and SI. Methods Data were obtained from the All Army Study of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS). Soldiers (n=21,450) completed questions related to suicidal ideation (5 items), depressive symptoms (9 items), and insomnia (5 items) based on symptom presence in the past 30 days. Items in each domain were summed to create a total severity score. GEE models using a negative binomial linking function were conducted to examine the impact of depression, insomnia, and their interaction on SI. Results Both depression (χ2 =117.56, p<0.001) and insomnia (χ2=11.79, p=0.0006) were found to have significant main effects on SI, and there was a significant interaction effect (χ2=4.52, p=0.0335). Follow up simple effects revealed that insomnia was no longer significantly associated with SI when depression severity was low, but was associated with SI in the presence of greater depression severity (χ2=2.91, p=0.0882). Conclusion In a large sample of Army soldiers, depression significantly moderated the association between SI and insomnia, such that insomnia seems to amplify the effects of depression on SI. These findings highlight the importance of addressing insomnia severity as a mean of reducing SI in those with depression, potentially allowing for intervention prior to a suicide attempt. Support (if any) Perlis: K24AG055602 & R01AG041783. This publication is based on public use data from Army STARRS (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, University of Michigan- http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR35197-v1), funded by U.S. NIMH-U01MH087981.

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Perceived Social Status and Suicidal Ideation in Maltreated Children and Adolescents

Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology ◽

10.1007/s10802-021-00852-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kelli L. Dickerson ◽

Helen M. Milojevich ◽

Jodi A. Quas

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Social Status ◽

Lower Risk ◽

Developmental Patterns ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Established Risk Factor ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Perceived Social Status

AbstractRecent decades have seen an alarming increase in rates of suicide among young people, including children and adolescents (“youth”). Although child maltreatment constitutes a well-established risk factor for suicidal ideation in youth, few efforts have focused on identifying factors associated with maltreated youths’ increased risk for suicidal ideation, especially across development. The present study examined the relations between maltreated youths' (N = 279, M = 12.06 years, 52% female, 53% Latinx) perceptions of their social status and suicidal ideation and compared those relations between pre-adolescents and adolescents. Findings revealed unique developmental patterns: Perceived social status was associated with suicidal ideation, but only in adolescents, who showed greater risk for suicidal ideation if they viewed themselves as lower ranked in society and lower risk for suicidal ideation if they viewed themselves as higher ranked in society. Findings have implications for scientific and practical efforts aimed at better understanding and preventing suicide in a high-risk developmental population.

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Unsound sleep, wound-up mind: a longitudinal examination of acute suicidal affective disturbance features among an eating disorder sample

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329172100310x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Shruti S. Kinkel-Ram ◽

William Grunewald ◽

Lindsay P. Bodell ◽

April R. Smith

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Treatment Center ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Ongoing Assessment ◽

Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

Abstract Background Suicide is one of the most commonly reported causes of death in individuals with eating disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the suicide and disordered eating link are largely unknown, and current assessments are still unable to accurately predict future suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to test the utility of two promising proximal risk factors, sleep quality and agitation, in predicting suicidal ideation in a sample of individuals with elevated suicidal thoughts and behaviors, namely those with eating disorders. Methods Women (N = 97) receiving treatment at an eating disorder treatment center completed weekly questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation, agitation, and sleep. General linear mixed models examined whether agitation and/or sleep quality were concurrently or prospectively associated with suicidal ideation across 12 weeks of treatment. Results There was a significant interaction between within-person agitation and sleep quality on suicidal ideation [B(s.e.) = −0.02(0.01), p < 0.05], such that on weeks when an individual experienced both higher than their average agitation and lower than their average sleep quality, they also experienced their highest levels of suicidal ideation. However, neither agitation nor sleep quality prospectively predicted suicidal ideation. Conclusions This study was the first to examine dynamic associations between interpersonal constructs and suicidal ideation in individuals with eating disorders. Results suggest that ongoing assessment for overarousal symptoms, such as agitation and poor sleep quality, in individuals with eating disorders may be warranted in order to manage suicidal ideation among this vulnerable population.

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