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Smith LM. Risk Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation and Suicidal Behavior in Wildland Firefighters. Arch Suicide Res 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38896466 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2024.2355222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wildland firefighters are posited to have a higher suicide rate than general firefighters and the general population. However, the rates and risk factors of suicide among wildland firefighters is not fully understood. METHODS For this preregistered study, 564 participants were recruited from Facebook to obtain a final sample of 246 participants with valid data who were current or former wildland firefighters in the United States. Participants completed online measures of suicidal ideation, history of suicidal behaviors, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, problematic alcohol use, and occupational exposure to suicide. RESULTS In this sample, 22% of wildland firefighters reported a history of at least one suicide attempt, and 36.7% reported current suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms, but not problematic alcohol use or exposure to suicide, were positively associated with suicidal ideation and a history of suicide attempts. Additionally, PTSD symptoms explained significantly more variance in suicidal ideation than depression symptoms alone. CONCLUSIONS Wildland firefighters demonstrate rates of suicide attempts that exceed those of non-wildland firefighters and of the general population at large. In addition, PTSD symptoms may contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) in this population. This is the largest study of STB in wildland firefighters to date.
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Pennington ML, Ylitalo KR, Thomas KL, Coe E, Humphries M, Gulliver SB. Suicides among American Indian/Alaska Native firefighters: Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003 - 2017. Psychiatry Res 2023; 330:115593. [PMID: 37951031 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is a significant public health problem in the United States and disproportionally affects male American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Suicide is particularly problematic among AI/AN firefighters who are more likely to report suicide ideation, planning, attempts, and risk compared to non-Hispanic white (NHW) firefighters. The aim of the current study was to compare non-Hispanic AI/AN firefighter and NHW firefighter suicide decedents by demographics and risk/precipitating factors using National Violent Death Reporting System data for 45 male non-Hispanic AI/AN firefighter and 588 male NHW firefighter decedents who died by suicide. Compared to NHW firefighter decedents, AI/AN firefighter decedents were significantly younger and had significantly higher odds of experiencing alcohol use problems and a recent death/suicide of a family member/friend. AI/AN firefighter decedents had significantly lower odds of documented mental health problems, documented diagnosis of depression/dysthymia, receipt of mental health treatment, or leaving a suicide note compared to NHW firefighter decedents. Results from this study may inform tailored suicide prevention and screening efforts among first responders with the goal of lowering suicide mortality among AI/AN firefighters and fire service as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Pennington
- Department of Public Health, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA; Warriors Research Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - Kelly R Ylitalo
- Department of Public Health, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Coe
- Warriors Research Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Mariah Humphries
- George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Suzy B Gulliver
- Warriors Research Institute, Baylor Scott & White Health, Waco, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
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Carson LM, Marsh SM, Brown MM, Elkins KL, Tiesman HM. An analysis of suicides among first responders ─ Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2015-2017. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023; 85:361-370. [PMID: 37330885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION First responders, including law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians, and public safety telecommunicators, face unique occupational stressors and may be at elevated risk for suicide. This study characterized suicides among first responders and identifies potential opportunities for additional data collection. METHODS Using suicides identified from the three most recent years of National Violent Death Reporting System data with industry and occupation codes from the NIOSH Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (2015-2017), decedents were categorized as first responders or non-first responders based on usual occupation. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences in sociodemographic and suicide circumstances between first and non-first responders. RESULTS First responder decedents made up 1% of all suicides. Over half of first responders (58%) were LEOs, 21% were firefighters, 18% were EMS clinicians, and 2% were public safety telecommunicators. Compared to non-first responder decedents, more first responders served in the military (23% vs. 11%) and used a firearm as the method of injury (69% vs. 44%). Among first responder decedents for whom circumstances were known, intimate partner problems, job problems, and physical health problems were most frequent. Some common risk factors for suicide (history of suicidal thoughts, previous suicide attempt, alcohol/substance abuse problem) were significantly lower among first responders. Selected sociodemographics and characteristics were compared across first responder occupations. Compared to firefighters and EMS clinicians, LEO decedents had slightly lower percentages of depressed mood, mental health problems, history of suicidal thoughts, and history of suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS While this analysis provides a small glimpse into some of these stressors, more detailed research may help inform future suicide prevention efforts and interventions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Understanding stressors and their relation to suicide and suicidal behaviors can facilitate suicide prevention among this critical workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie M Carson
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection, Impaired Driving Division, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Suzanne M Marsh
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Margaret M Brown
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Katherine L Elkins
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Emergency Medical Services, EMS and National 911 Programs, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hope M Tiesman
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Ponder WN, Carbajal J, Whitworth J, Schuman DL, Galusha JM, Yockey RA. Predictors of Suicide and Differences in Attachment Styles and Resilience Among Treatment-Seeking First-Responder Subtypes. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:321-329. [PMID: 36730737 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the predictors of suicide for firefighters (FFs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and law enforcement officers (LEOs). METHODS We used baseline data from FFs/EMTs (n = 69) and LEOs (n = 81) to investigate the unique predictors for both first-responder subtypes. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis on validated assessments of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Measures of attachment, resilience, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety, trauma history, and substance use were the independent variables in two backward stepwise regressions predicting suicide. RESULTS Substance use and somatic depression were significant predictors for LEOs, whereas affective depression, anhedonia, externalizing behaviors, trauma history, and generalized anxiety were significant predictors for FFs/EMTs. LIMITATIONS These data are cross-sectional and should be modeled longitudinally over the course of treatment. CONCLUSION Separate constructs influence suicide for LEOs and FFs/EMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren N Ponder
- From the One Tribe Foundation, Fort Worth, Texas (W.N.P.); Stephen F. Austin State University (J.C.); University of Central Florida (J.W.); University of Texas at Arlington (D.L.S.); Private Practice, Dallas Texas (J.M.G.); and University of North Texas Health Science Center (A.Y.)
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Hallford D, Rusanov D, Winestone B, Kaplan R, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Melvin G. Disclosure of suicidal ideation and behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 101:102272. [PMID: 37001469 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
Disclosure of suicidal ideation and behaviours, defined as thoughts, plans, or attempts, to other people provides opportunity for intervention and prevention. This study is the first to meta-analyze all available studies to estimate the prevalence of disclosure, to whom people disclose, and examine factors that influence disclosure. Databases were searched for studies reporting samples of people who had experienced suicidal ideation or behaviours (including those who had died by suicide) and whether they had disclosed this. Almost 100 studies (k = 94, N participants = 1,044,629) were included in the overall prevalance analysis. The results showed less than half of people disclosed suicidal ideation or behaviour: 45.9% (95%CI 41.9-49.9%, PI 12.3-81.8%; k = 94). High heterogeneity, common to prevalence studies, was found (Q[93] = 130,584, p < .001; I2 = 99.9%). No publication bias was detected. Removing outliers did not change the prevalence estimate, but provided tighter prediction intervals: 45.6% (95%CI 43.4-47.9%, PI 35.8-55.7%; k = 33). Disclosure was related to higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, female gender, and a longer timeframe of suicidal ideation or behaviour. Prevalence of disclosure was lower among people who died by suicide, relative to community samples, and lower when reported verbally rather than written online. Disclosure, and proportions of disclosures, to family members, was numerically higher than to friends or professionals, but could not be directly compared. In conclusion, between 50 and 60% of people do not disclose their suicidal ideation and behaviours to other people, and therefore remain unidentified and potentially untreated.
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Kim JA, Song SY, Jeong W, Jun JK. Non-cancer health risks in firefighters: a systematic review. Epidemiol Health 2022; 44:e2022109. [PMID: 36397239 PMCID: PMC10396521 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2022109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
osFirefighters are occupationally exposed to hazardous factors that may increase their risk of disease. However, non-cancer disease risk in firefighters has not been systematically examined. This systematic review aimed to identify non-cancer disease risk in firefighters and determine whether the risk differs according to job characteristics. We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and KoreaMed databases using relevant keywords from their inception to April 30, 2021. The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomized Studies version 2.0 was used to assess the quality of evidence. Due to study heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was presented. The systematic literature search yielded 2,491 studies, of which 66 met the selection and quality criteria. We confirmed that the healthy worker effect is strong in firefighters as compared to the general population. We also identified a significant increase in the incidence of lumbar disc herniation, lower back pain, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in firefighters compared to other occupational groups. Contradictory results for the risk of PTSD and anxiety disorders related to rank were reported. Sufficient evidence for increased risk of lumbar disc herniation, lower back pain, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, and PTSD was available. The risk of non-cancer diseases varied depending on job type, years of service, and rank. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results because the classification criteria for firefighters' jobs and ranks differ by country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Ah Kim
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Song
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Wonjeong Jeong
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jae Kwan Jun
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
- Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
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Tang S, Reily NM, Arena AF, Batterham PJ, Calear AL, Carter GL, Mackinnon AJ, Christensen H. People Who Die by Suicide Without Receiving Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review. Front Public Health 2022; 9:736948. [PMID: 35118036 PMCID: PMC8804173 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.736948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The majority of people who die by suicide have never seen a mental health professional or been diagnosed with a mental illness. To date, this majority group has largely been ignored, with most existing research focusing on predictors of suicide such as past suicide attempts. Identifying the characteristics of people who die by suicide without receiving services, often with a fatal first attempt, is crucial to reduce suicide rates through guiding improvements to service pathways and “just in time” interventions. Methods In this systematic review, PsycInfo, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for peer-reviewed articles published from 1980 to 1st March 2021. Included studies examined predictors of non-receipt of formal mental health services among people who died by suicide. Data were extracted from published reports and the quality of included studies was assessed using a modified version of the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD 42021226543. Results Sixty-seven studies met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 39 to 193,152 individuals. Male sex, younger or older age, and rural location were consistently associated with non-receipt of mental health services. People not receiving mental health services were also less likely to have a psychiatric diagnosis, past suicidal behavior or contact with general health services, and more likely to use violent means of suicide. There was some evidence that minority ethnicity and psychosocial stressors were associated with service non-receipt. Conclusion People who die by suicide without receiving mental health services are likely to have diverse profiles, indicating the need for multifaceted approaches to effectively support people at risk of suicide. Identifying the needs and preferences of individuals who are at risk of suicide is crucial in developing new support pathways and services, and improving the quality of existing services. Systematic Review Registration http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42021226543.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Tang
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Samantha Tang
| | - Natalie M. Reily
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew F. Arena
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip J. Batterham
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alison L. Calear
- Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gregory L. Carter
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Helen Christensen
- Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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