Risk factors for suicidal ideation among psychological aids hotline callers

Abstract

Objective To explore risk factors for suicidal ideation among psychological aids hotline callers. Methods From Aug 2004 to Dec 2008,all the effective callers of psychological aids hotline were interviewed by professional hotline operators with a questionnaire including suicidal ideation and 11 potential risk factors based on prior suicide studies in China.Logistic regression analysis was used. Results Among all the 25 362 effective callers who were seeking for psychological aids hotline service,sixty-four percent (16 228) of them were recruited.Eight thousands eight hundreds and forty-four callers reported having suicidal ideation in 2 weeks prior to the identified calling,741 callers reported suicide plan while having suicidal ideation.Females,older than 19 years old,living in the local site less than 6 years,not unmarried,and unemployed callers were more likely reporting suicidal ideation.Having psychiatric symptoms (OR=3.35,95% CI: 2.93-3.82,P<0.001),hopeless (OR=3.32,95% CI:3.06-3.60,P<0.001),prior attempt suicide history (OR=2.21,95% CI:1.99-2.46,P<0.001),substance abuse (OR=1.42,95% CI: 1.26-1.61,P<0.001),serious physical illness (OR=1.34,95% CI: 1.20-1.50,P<0.001),relatives or associates with prior suicide history (OR=1.33,95% CI:1.23-1.44,P<0.001),acute life events (OR=1.30,95% CI:1.20-1.40,P<0.001),and chronic life events (OR=1.23,95% CI:1.14-1.33,P<0.001) were independent risk factors for suicidal ideation among the hotline callers,after sex,age,and the other 4 demographic variables were adjusted. Conclusions Similar with other young population,having psychiatric symptoms,hopeless,and prior attempted suicide history are probably be the most important risk factors for suicidal ideation among hotline callers. Key words: Psychological aids hotline; Suicidal ideation; Risk factor