Risk Factors For Suicide Research Articles

Risk Factors for Suicide Among Professional Athletes.

Suicide is a major public health concern that affects all demographics. Risk factors for suicide in professional athletes are poorly understood compared with the general population. The goal of this study was (1) to explore the current literature on risk factors for suicide in the population of professional athletes and (2) to formulate a proposed suicide risk identification tool as the first step in the production of a validated screening method specific to this population. A comprehensive literature search for relevant publications was carried out through 7 databases. There is some evidence to suggest that retirement, anabolic androgenic steroid use, sexual abuse victimization, health problems, financial issues, relationship issues, having immigrant parents, having a financially disadvantaged childhood, using self-blame or behavioral disengagement as a coping strategy, changes in appetite or weight, sleep problems, reduced competitiveness, and thinking about a career after retirement are potential risk factors for suicide in this population. There is limited evidence to suggest that having a career in elite or professional sports, participation in contact sports, and participating in specific sports that are not associated with a higher suspected prevalence of performance-enhancing drug use are potential risk factors. This study identified potential risk factors for suicide among elite and professional athletes. These findings were used to help formulate a proposed suicide risk identification tool. Future research is recommended to explore and clarify specific risk factors for suicide in this population and to test the validity of the proposed tool.

The Importance of Time: Nurses' Experiences of Working With Suicide Prevention and Suicide Risk Assessment in the Care of Older People

ABSTRACTAimTo describe nurses' experiences of working with suicide prevention and suicide risk assessment in the care of older people.BackgroundSuicide is a problem among older people, worldwide. Risk factors for suicide are, among others, depression, illness and pain and a feeling of isolation. Nurses have valuable experience in suicide prevention and risk assessments. This study can shed light on what is needed to promote the mental health of older people, which has been partly overlooked in previous research.Methods/DesignA descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Ten nurses working in care of older people across four different municipalities were interviewed. Conventional content analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsDespite shortcomings in guidelines, nurses describe performing suicide risk assessments and suicide prevention in a similar manner. The importance of giving the patients time is emphasised, although time is exactly what appears to be lacking.ConclusionBy engaging with the experiences of nurses, important aspects that require further attention are highlighted. Nurses should inquire about suicidal ideation, even if older persons do not explicitly express such thoughts. Normal ageing needs to be comprehended and considered in assessments. In this work, time is important.Patient or Public ContributionThe results were coproduced by means of interviews with nurses working in care of older people.Reporting MethodThe study was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.Implications for PracticeEncountering older people who may have experienced the loss of loved ones and addressing one's personal capabilities in the context of the ageing body imposes substantial challenges on nursing care, necessitating a capacity to adeptly navigate and address these complex issues.

Positive psychological functioning, resilience and styles of coping as buffers against suicidal behaviours. A case-control study

BackgroundStudies in the literature mainly focus on understanding the risk factors for suicide, giving little relevance to protective variables. This study aimed at exploring the specific contribution of protective variables (resilience, coping and psychological well-being) in hospitalized suicide attempt (SA) makers. MethodsWe recruited 50 inpatients who made a SA before admission and 50 inpatients with no history of SA matched for DSM-5 diagnosis, gender and age. Protective variables were evaluated with: Brief COPE questionnaire, Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15), Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB-18). Psychopathological features and symptom severity were assessed with: Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), Rapid Dimensional Assessment Scale (SVARAD), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impressions (CGI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17). ResultsThe DRS-15 total score was significantly lower in SA makers. SA makers displayed significantly lower scores on the Engagement and Cognitive Restructuring subscales of the Brief COPE. On the PWB-18, the Self-Acceptance subscale score was lower in SA makers. LimitationsThe small sample size suggests the need for caution in interpreting the results. Matching was carried out by excluding diagnoses of personality disorders. ConclusionsPatients hospitalized following a SA are more often diagnosed with personality disorders, have deficit areas concerning resilience and coping, and lower psychological well-being compared to patients without a SA. When approaching a patient who has committed a SA, it may be useful to evaluate protective variables as well as risk factors, and encourage the development of adaptive coping mechanisms and positive self-evaluation through more dynamic therapeutic paths.

Sleep disorder symptoms and suicidal urges among US Marines seeking suicide treatment: Findings from an intensive daily assessment study

BackgroundRates of suicide in United States Marines are among the highest in the military, and sleep disorder symptoms are a known risk factor for suicide in the military. Intensive ecological momentary assessments (EMA) might improve the ability to detect periods that are characterized by increased suicidal ideation. Marines who were at high risk for suicide were intensively assessed for one month on sleep, suicidal urges, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms. MethodsU.S. Marines (N = 40) who had a past month suicide attempt or suicidal urges with intent were sent EMA for 28 days. Mixed effects models explored associations among daily sleep, suicidal urges, PTSD, and depression symptoms. ResultsWorsened sleep indicators on a given night significantly predicted higher maximum values of suicide urges the following day. Worse sleep quality the prior night was moderately associated with more severe PTSD symptoms and depression symptoms. Greater severity of PTSD symptoms and depression symptoms were strongly associated with both the maximum value and the range of suicide urges. PTSD and depression symptoms mediated the relationship between sleep quality and suicidal urges. Participants reported that 0000–0300 had the greatest elevation in endorsement of highest suicide urges. LimitationsThis study had a small sample size may not generalize beyond active duty Marines. ConclusionsPoor sleep quality and other sleep markers were an important risk factor for suicidal urges among U.S. Marines. This relationship was mediated by exacerbations in PTSD and depression symptoms. Interventions are needed to interrupt suicide risk during and following nights with poor sleep.

Repetitive negative thinking and suicidal ideation in internalizing psychopathologies: A replication study

Suicidal ideation (SI), a risk factor for suicide, is prevalent in internalizing psychopathologies, including depression and anxiety. Rumination and worry are well-studied repetitive negative thinking (RNT) constructs implicated in internalizing psychopathologies. These constructs have shared and distinct characteristics. However, the relationship between rumination and worry and their associations with SI are not fully understood in clinical samples. The present study used correlational and regression analysis to evaluate these relationships as a secondary data analysis in treatment-seeking participants with internalizing psychopathologies in two independent samples (Study 1:n = 143; Study 2:n = 133). Results showed about half of the participants endorsed SI (Study 1:n = 79; Study 2:n = 71). Correlations revealed a significant, positive relationship between rumination and worry. Regression results with SI as the dependent variable showed rumination significantly positively corresponded with SI in both studies. Post-hoc partial correlations controlling for symptom severity (depression, anxiety), worry, and age showed the rumination-SI relationship was maintained in both studies. Findings for worry and SI were inconsistent between studies. Findings indicate rumination, but not worry, could be a stable, unique contributor to SI in internalizing psychopathologies. It may be useful to incorporate RNT into suicide risk assessment for individuals with internalizing conditions.

An analysis of risk factors for child suicide in three centres from 2008 to 2017.

As a part of a study of suicide in children aged 17 years and under in three centers-Hennepin County in the United States (US), Auckland in New Zealand (NZ), and South Australia in Australia (AUS) from 2008 to 2017 it was decided to characterize potential risk factors and to determine whether these differed by jurisdiction. Reviewed data included a history of psychiatric illness, symptoms prior to suicide, events preceding suicide, previous suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, and communication of suicidal intent. The most common events preceding suicide were arguments with family/friends and relationship issues; in addition depression with or without expressed suicidal ideation, self-harming behavior, sadness, distress, drug/substance abuse, and anorexia were documented. Suicidal intent was on occasion communicated via technological means. In 79.5% of cases in South Australia decedents had a previously diagnosed psychiatric illness, with 62% in Hennepin County. This compared to a much lower proportion of cases in Auckland (23.8%). Whether this reflects more limited access to psychiatric services or a reluctance to seek support and therapy in Auckland is unclear. It does, however, demonstrate that risk factors for child suicide are not uniform among communities and so extrapolation of data from one area to another may not be appropriate. Disturbingly parents/carers were not aware of the decedent's suicidal intent in 84-87.2% of cases.

Incorporating the Developmental Considerations in a Proposed Forgiveness Education Intervention for Suicidal Adolescents

This paper first explores the risk factors associated with adolescents’ suicidal thoughts, attempts, and behaviors within different developmental domains and in the environment, using the developmental systems theory (DST). The most frequently identified risk factor for suicide, psychological pain, is examined in terms of its nature, expression, and possible cause. This paper criticizes the current empirical research of suicidal adolescents’ interventions on two issues: (1) lack of concern for fundamental issues in lifespan development and (2) inadequate treatment of the emotional needs resulting from the psychological pain in adolescents. Finally, this paper proposes forgiveness education intervention as targeting the emotional needs, particularly psychological pain, for suicidal adolescents.

Suicide risk among young people who use drugs in Hanoi, Vietnam: Prevalence and related factors.

Adolescents and young adults are vulnerable to suicidality, especially those at high risk such as young people who use drugs (YPUD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and related factors of suicide risk among this population. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study on YPUD aged 16-24 in the community in Hanoi, Vietnam. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, drug use, and adverse childhood experiences were collected using face-to-face questionnaires by research assistants. YPUD were screened by psychiatrists for depression, psychotic symptoms, and suicide risk, using the MINI questionnaire. Three hundred-seven YPUD (250 males, 57 females) participated in the study; of those, 86 (28.0%) were at risk of suicide. Gender (female), adverse childhood experiences, depression, and psychosis were relevant factors. The prevalence of suicide risk among young people using drugs was high. Therefore, suicide risk should be screened and monitored in the clinical assessment of this population. In addition, the intervention efforts to detect and intervene in adverse events during childhood may be one way to prevent mental health and suicide in later life.

Could school programs based on social-emotional learning prevent substance abuse among adolescents?

In this editorial, we comment on the article Adolescent suicide risk factors and the integration of social-emotional skills in school-based prevention programs by Liu et al . While the article focused on the issue of suicide and social-emotional learning programs as a possible intervention, we here discuss evidence of other reported outcomes and if it could be an effective way to prevent substance abuse among adolescents.

Gender disparities in suicide prevalence and risk factors in Bangladesh

Effective preventive methods for suicide need a thorough understanding of the risk factors associated with this complex and varied public health issue. This research aims to explore instances of suicide as documented in Bangladeshi newspapers, specifically examining distinctive risk factors associated with gender and demographics. 13 national daily newspapers were selected purposively data in this investigation. The logistic regression method was used for analysis and fitting to the dataset. Higher suicide odds among individuals under 30 and employed individuals. Significant regional differences are noted, with Khulna having a rate of 1.05 (OR=1.05, 95% CI: [0.45-1.42]) and Chittagong the lowest at 76% (OR=0.24, 95% CI: [0.18-0.41]) compared to Sylhet. Certain methods like hanging, poisoning, and jumping show elevated odds 1.75 (95% CI: [1.51-1.86]), 1.83 (95% CI: [0.79-1.98]), and 1.72 (95% CI: [1.53-1.97]), respectively, compared to self-harm methods among women, while factors like family issues and blackmail exhibit significantly higher odds 2.82 (95% CI: [1.85-3.10]), 1.01 (95% CI: [0.89-1.12]), and 2.06 (95% CI: [1.99-2.15]), respectively, compared to physical illness among women. By elucidating the intricacies associated with suicide risk factors in Bangladesh, our study adds to the international conversation on suicide prevention by promoting a more sophisticated comprehension of gender differences to augment the efficacy of public health campaigns. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2024, 10(3), 110-118

Sexual violence, suicide, depression, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life among university students in Spain with a gender perspective: implications for social work

ABSTRACT Current research aims to relate both categories by investigating sexual violence as a risk factor for suicide among college students in Spain (N = 2004). Overall, 13.7% reported having suffered sexual violence in the last year and 3.3% completed sexual penetration. Having suffered sexual violence and lower perceived social support are associated with higher risk of suicidal behaviors. Incorporation of preventive measures against sexual violence in the university environment, as well as the promotion of supportive actions on university campuses in Spain, as well as in other countries. Policy and social work implications are discussed.

The resilience mediation effect on the relationship of suicide risk and psychological pain in nursing students: Structural equation modelling.

INTRODUCTION: Nursing students are a high-risk group for suicide. Psychiatric nurses should investigate risk factors for suicide. The aim of this study was to examine the resilience mediation effect in the relationship of suicide risk and psychological pain in nursing students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2021 with 619 students in the Akdeniz University Faculty of Nursing. A Descriptive Information Form, the Suicide Probability Scale, the Psychache Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale were used to collect data. The structural equation model approach was used to examine the resilience mediating effect on the relation between suicide risk and psychological pain, and Path Analysis was performed. The reporting of the study was conducted according to STROBE. A semi-mediatory effect of resilience was found between psychological pain and the risk of suicide, and the effect size was determined to be broad (0.57). Resilience can be considered as a protective factor for suicide prevention in psychiatric nursing practices. Resilience has an effect on the relationship between psychological pain and suicide risk. The results of this study may guide psychiatric nursing practices in reducing and preventing suicide risk.

Age-stratified risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of suicide. Few studies have investigated the risk of suicide across different ages, likely due to limitations around sample size. From the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, this study identified 195,787 patients with schizophrenia from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2019. During the study period, 3848 patients died from suicide. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide stratified by age. In this age-stratified, nested case-control study, risk set sampling was used to match each case with 4 living controls by age, sex, and the year of the first diagnosis with schizophrenia. Conditional logistic regression was used for estimating age-stratified risk profiles. The SMR was the highest in the <25 years age group (52.8) and inversely correlated with age. Unemployment was associated with an increased risk of suicide in the 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55 to 64 years age groups. Depressive and sleep disorders before suicide were more common among suicide cases with schizophrenia than among controls across all age groups. Drug-induced and alcohol-induced mental disorders were significantly associated with suicide but were observed only in the age group younger than 54. Heart disease, pneumonia, and moderate or severe renal disease were risk factors for suicide in the age groups less than 65. The risk factors for suicide differ by age. This study's findings can be used to optimize health-care interventions for preventing suicide in patients with schizophrenia.

Dysregulated zinc homeostasis and microadenomas in the anterior pituitary: pathological insights into suicide risk.

Suicide is a significant public health problem influenced by various risk factors, including dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Zinc (Zn), essential for pituitary function in hormone synthesis and release, has been linked to suicide, with studies noting reduced serum levels and altered brain transport mechanisms. Despite Zn's crucial role in pituitary function and its involvement in suicidal behavior, information on pituitary Zn in suicide is scarce. Tumor cells modify Zn dynamics in tissues, and a previous report suggests microadenomas in the anterior pituitary as a risk factor for suicide. Histopathological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin stain and histochemical techniques to assess Zn homeostasis were carried out on anterior pituitary postmortem samples from 14 suicide completers and 9 non-suicidal cases. Pituitary microadenomas were identified in 35% of suicide cases and none in the non-suicidal cases. Furthermore, compartmentalized Zn (detected via dithizone reactivity), but not free Zn levels (detected via zinquin reactivity), was lower in the suicide cases compared to the non-suicidal group. This is the first report of a potential association between disrupted Zn homeostasis and microadenomas in the anterior pituitary as a feature in suicide and provides critical insights for future neuroendocrine Zn-related research.

Racial/ethnic differences in risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents

BackgroundSuicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) are risk factors for suicide which peak during adolescence; however, evidence focused on differences in SI and SA risk among racial/ethnic minority youth is limited despite increasing suicide rates among several racial/ethnic minority groups. MethodsWe analyzed a representative sample of adolescents aged 12–17 with prior depressive symptoms (n = 32,617) from the cross-sectional National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (2008–2019). Survey-weighted adjusted logistic regressions estimated the association of race/ethnicity with self-reported lifetime SI and SA, controlling for sociodemographics, lifetime substance use, lifetime major depressive episode, and self-rated health. ResultsCompared to white adolescents, Black and Hispanic adolescents had a 2.5 % (p = 0.04) and 4.2 % (p < 0.001) lower likelihood of reporting SI. However, among participants reporting SI, Black and Hispanic adolescents had a 3.2 % (p = 0.03) and 3.1 % (p = 0.03) higher likelihood of reporting SA than white adolescents. Multiracial adolescents were 5.9 % (p = 0.03) more likely to report SA than white adolescents. LimitationsAlthough racial/ethnic minority groups are less likely to self-report mental health symptoms, we could only assess SI/SA among adolescents self-reporting prior depressive symptoms, and we could only assess SA among adolescents self-reporting SI due to survey methods. ConclusionsVariation in the racial/ethnic distribution of suicidality supports theories conceptualizing separate pathways for SI and SA. This underscores the need for greater attention to racial/ethnic differences in suicide-related research, surveillance, and prevention efforts, including ensuring that mental health risk assessments directly evaluate SA in addition to SI in order to better identify high-risk racial/ethnic minority youth.

Pilot study of telehealth delivery of horticultural therapy (TeleHT) as an acceptable intervention and in reducing suicide risk factors in veterans

ObjectivesConverging evidence indicates that Horticultural Therapy (HT) contributes to significant reductions in stress, loneliness, and depression, notable risk factors for suicidality. This pilot study aimed to assess the initial feasibility and acceptability of HT when virtually administered. InterventionTelehealth-delivered horticultural therapy (TeleHT) was administered to groups of Veterans, including those with elevated suicide risk over the course of four weeks. Participants were each sent a package through the mail of at-home gardening supplies that were used to facilitate multisensory, nature experiences during weekly HT sessions administered via Zoom. Outcome measuresParticipants completed thermometer-based scales for the suicide risk factors of stress, loneliness, depression, and pain before and after each TeleHT session. Post-intervention qualitative assessments were completed upon the conclusion of the four-week intervention. ResultsSignificant reductions in stress, depression, and loneliness risk were observed from weekly pre- to post-session measures (p < 0.05), with 89.1 % HT completion rate. Stress, pain, depression, and loneliness indices also showed small to medium sized symptom reduction amongst Veterans with no history of suicidality (Cohen’s d=−0.70, d=−0.49, d=−0.62, d=−0.71), while those with elevated suicide risk at baseline also showed reduction in these risk factors with small to medium effect sizes (d=−0.58, d=−.018, d=−0.46, d=−0.41). Qualitative post-intervention assessments indicated a high degree of acceptability and pointed to the inclusion of mailed gardening packages as particularly relevant to positive experiences. ConclusionsWhile future work is needed to fully assess efficacy, findings from this pilot study demonstrate an initial feasibility and acceptability through a high retention rate and positive qualitative assessments for TeleHT that mirror that of the in-person intervention.

Suicide Risk Factors in High School Students.

In Mexico, suicide has become an important public health problem, representing the third leading cause of death in the adolescent population. Suicidal behavior in adolescents is associated with the interaction of complex relationships between personal, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors. Through a quantitative, descriptive, and correlational cross-sectional study, the present study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors associated with suicidal ideation among adolescents from different high schools of the high school system (SEMS) of the University of Guadalajara, in response to the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out on the data obtained from the 3583 students surveyed, followed by a principal component analysis (PCA) to identify closely related social, emotional, and behavioral variables. The PCA yielded eight principal components, which together represent 75.42% of the variance across psychometric tests. A multiple linear regression analysis was used, with a regression value (R2) of 0.4811, indicating that the explanatory model can predict 48.1% of the variability in suicidal ideation, with a statistical significance level of 0.05. According to the studies conducted, 19% (688 students) showed indicators of high suicide risk and 26.8% (960 students) showed moderate risk. Depression, mental health, health-related quality of life, physical and psychological well-being, and mood and emotions are the most influential factors in suicidal ideation.

Rural suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador: A qualitative exploration of health care providers' perspectives.

Residents of rural regions may have higher and unique suicide risks. Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is a Canadian province replete with rural regions. Despite an abundance of rural suicide research, heterogeneity in rural regions may preclude amalgamating findings to inform prevention efforts. Thus, exploring the unique needs of NL is needed. Importantly, health care providers (HCP) may afford unique perspectives on the suicide-related needs or concerns of rural life. We asked HCPs of residents of rural NL their perceived suicide risk factors, concerns, and needs for rural NL. Twelve HCPs of rural residents of NL completed virtual semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis [13,14]. HCPs noted individual, psychological, social, and practical factors linked to rural-suicide risk and subsequent needs. Findings highlight the unique challenges of residing and providing health care in rural NL and inform prevention and intervention efforts.

Individual suicide risk factors with resting-state brain functional connectivity patterns in bipolar disorder patients based on latent Dirichlet allocation model

BackgroundThe widespread problem of suicide and its severe burden in bipolar disorder (BD) necessitate the development of objective risk markers, aiming to enhance individual suicide risk prediction in BD. MethodsThis study recruited 123 BD patients (61 patients with prior suicide attempted history (PSAs), 62 without (NSAs)) and 68 healthy controls (HEs). The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model was used to decompose the resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) into multiple hyper/hypo-RSFC patterns. Thereafter, according to the quantitative results of individual heterogeneity over latent factor dimensions, the correlations were analyzed to test prediction ability. ResultsModel constructed without introducing suicide-related labels yielded three latent factors with dissociable hyper/hypo-RSFC patterns. In the subsequent analysis, significant differences in the factor distributions of PSAs and NSAs showed biases on the default-mode network (DMN) hyper-RSFC factor (factor 3) and the salience network (SN) and central executive network (CEN) hyper-RSFC factor (factor 1), indicating predictive value. Correlation analysis of the individuals' expressions with their Nurses' Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR) revealed factor 3 positively correlated (r = 0.4180, p < 0.0001) and factor 1 negatively correlated (r = − 0.2492, p = 0.0055) with suicide risk. Therefore, it could be speculated that patterns more associated with suicide reflected hyper-connectivity in DMN and hypo-connectivity in SN, CEN. ConclusionsThis study provided individual suicide-associated risk factors that could reflect the abnormal RSFC patterns, and explored the suicide related brain mechanisms, which is expected to provide supports for clinical decision-making and timely screening and intervention for individuals at high risks of suicide.

Beyond one-size-fits-all suicide prediction: Studying idiographic associations of risk factors for suicide in a psychiatric sample using ecological momentary assessment

The Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) states that thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and hopelessness are risk factors for suicidal ideation. This ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study aimed to (1) demonstrate that there is substantial between-person variability in the association between IPTS predictors and suicidal ideation, (2) identify clusters of patients for which the predictors differently predict suicidal ideation, and (3) examine whether identified clusters are characterized by specific patient characteristics. EMA data were collected ten times per day for six days in 74 psychiatric inpatients and was analyzed with dynamic structural equation modelling. Idiographic associations were obtained and clustered using k-means clustering. We found substantial between-person variability in associations between IPTS predictors and suicidal ideation. Four distinct clusters were identified and different risk factors were relevant for different clusters. In the largest cluster (n = 36), none of the IPTS predictors predicted suicidal ideation. Clusters in which associations between IPTS variables and suicidal ideation were stronger showed higher suicidal ideation, depression, and lower positive affect. These findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all model may not adequately reflect idiosyncratic processes leading to suicidal ideation. A promising avenue might be to use idiographic approaches to personalize prediction and interventions.