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Vally Z, Helmy M. The prevalence of suicidal behaviour and its associated risk factors among school-going adolescents resident in the United Arab Emirates. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19937. [PMID: 37968503 PMCID: PMC10651901 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicidal behaviour which includes suicidal ideation, having a plan to commit suicide and suicide attempts remains a global public health issue as it substantially impacts adolescent health and wellbeing. Suicidal behaviour, however, remains understudied in Middle Eastern contexts. This study analysed data from the 2016 Global School-based Student Health Survey collected in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A sample of 5826 adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years were sampled. Potential risk factors associated with an elevated risk for engagement in suicidal behaviour were examined. These factors were stratified into categories for analysis (demographics, psychosocial, risky health, and socio-environmental). The age-adjusted prevalence of suicidal behaviour amongst the school-going adolescent population in the UAE was 54%. Analyses indicated that elevated risk was significantly associated with anxiety difficulties, the experience of loneliness, and amongst those who smoked tobacco. None of the socio-environmental factors emerged as significant. A dose-dependent relationship was evident in that the degree of risk that was evident appeared to compound as the number of adverse risk factors increased. The data suggest that suicidal behaviour may be highly prevalent in this location. Findings highlight the immense need to develop preventative interventions, some of which may be school-delivered and targeted at parents. Our findings provide initial indications as to which risk factors could be targeted for remediation in developing these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahir Vally
- Department of Clinical Psychology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, P. O. Box 15551, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mai Helmy
- Department of Psychology, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod, Sultanate of Oman
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Arts, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
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2
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Carroll JM, Duncombe A, Mueller AS, Muller C. The Roles of Adolescent Occupational Expectations and Preparation in Adult Suicide and Drug Poisoning Deaths within a Shifting Labor Market. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 64:98-119. [PMID: 35164593 PMCID: PMC9375787 DOI: 10.1177/00221465211073117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Research suggests that economic declines contribute to mortality risks from suicide and drug poisoning, but how the economy impacts individuals' risks of these deaths has been challenging to specify. Building on recent theoretical advances, we investigate how adolescent occupational expectations and preparation contribute to suicide and drug poisoning deaths in a shifting economy. We use High School and Beyond data linked to adult mortality records for men that were exposed to a decline in labor market share and wages in predominantly blue-collar occupations during early adulthood. We find that adolescent men who expected these occupations had increased risks of suicide and drug poisoning death as adults net of educational and occupational attainment in early adulthood. Family background and occupational preparation are risk factors for death by drug poisoning but not suicide. Our findings improve our understanding of how labor market uncertainty shapes individuals' vulnerability to suicide and drug poisoning death.
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3
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Ilic M, Ilic I. Worldwide suicide mortality trends (2000-2019): A joinpoint regression analysis. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12:1044-1060. [PMID: 36158305 PMCID: PMC9476842 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i8.1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies exploring suicide mortality on a global scale are sparse, and most evaluations were limited to certain populations.
AIM To assess global, regional and national trends of suicide mortality.
METHODS Suicide mortality data for the period 2000-2019 were obtained from the mortality database of the World Health Organization and the Global Burden of Disease Study. Age-standardized rates (ASRs; expressed per 100000) were presented. To assess trends of suicide mortality, joinpoint regression analysis was used: The average annual percent change (AAPC) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated.
RESULTS A total of 759028 (523883 male and 235145 female) suicide deaths were reported worldwide in 2019. The global ASR of mortality of suicide was 9.0/100000 population in both sexes (12.6 in males vs 5.4 in females). In both sexes, the highest rates were found in the region of Africa (ASR = 11.2), while the lowest rates were reported in Eastern Mediterranean (ASR = 6.4). Globally, from 2000 to 2019, ASRs of mortality of suicide had a decreasing tendency in both sexes together [AAPC = -2.4% per year; 95%CI: (-2.6)-(-2.3)]. The region of the Americas experienced a significant increase in suicide mortality over 2000-2019 unlike other regions that had a declining trend. Out of all 133 countries with a decline in suicide mortality, Barbados (AAPC = -10.0%), Grenada (AAPC = -8.5%), Serbia (AAPC = -7.6%), and Venezuela (AAPC = -6.2%) showed the most marked reduction in mortality rates. Out of all 26 countries with a rise in suicide mortality, Lesotho (AAPC = +6.0%), Cyprus (AAPC = +5.1%), Paraguay (AAPC = +3.0%), Saudi Arabia (AAPC = +2.8%), Brunei (AAPC = +2.6%), Greece (AAPC = +2.6%), Georgia (AAPC = +2.1%), and Mexico (AAPC = +2.0%), are among those with the highest increase in mortality.
CONCLUSION Decreasing trends in suicide mortality were observed in most countries across the world. Unfortunately, the mortality of suicide showed an increasing trend in a number of populations. Further research should explore the reasons for these unfavorable trends, in order to consider and recommend more efforts for suicide prevention in these countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
| | - Irena Ilic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
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Claveria O. Global economic uncertainty and suicide: Worldwide evidence. Soc Sci Med 2022; 305:115041. [PMID: 35598442 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Economic uncertainty is a driver of the business cycle. Its leading properties make it a key advanced indicator to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on suicide for prevention purposes. This paper evaluates the effect of economic uncertainty on suicide rates worldwide. Uncertainty is gauged by a global economic policy uncertainty index. Suicide rates from 183 countries between 2000 and 2019 are matched to annual economic uncertainty, controlling for unemployment and economic growth in a fixed-effects panel model. Overall, the analysis suggests that increases in lagged economic uncertainty, as well as in unemployment and economic growth, may lead to an increased risk of suicide. When replicating the experiment for different regions of the world, the greatest impact of an increase in economic uncertainty can be found in Africa and the Middle East. Given the anticipatory nature of economic uncertainty regarding the evolution of economies, and its relationship with suicide rates, the results highlight the usefulness of uncertainty indicators as tools for the early detection of periods of increased suicide risk and the design of suicide prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Claveria
- AQR-IREA, University of Barcelona, Diagonal 690, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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5
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Gong J, He Y, Wang S, Liu J. Emotion Regulation and Depressive Symptoms Mediate the Association Between Schizotypal Personality Traits and Suicidality in Chinese College Students. Arch Suicide Res 2022; 26:614-625. [PMID: 32924826 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1818655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between schizotypal personality traits and suicidality are not understood. This study investigated the association of schizotypal personality traits with suicidality and explored the mediating role of cognitive appraisal and depression in the relationship between those two variables in a sample of Chinese college students. METHOD Participants (N = 2457) completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale, and three questions related to suicidality. RESULTS The cognitive reappraisal score was lower in the students with suicidality than the students without suicidality, whereas scores for depression and schizotypal personality traits were higher in the students with suicidality than the students without suicidality. Schizotypal personality traits and depression were risk factors for suicidality. Depression mediated the association between schizotypal personality traits and suicidality. Cognitive reappraisal negatively affected symptoms of depression and had a significant mediating effect on the association between schizotypal personality traits and suicidality. CONCLUSIONS Schizotypal personality traits and depression are risk factors for suicidality. Cognitive reappraisal and depression mediate the association between schizotypal personality traits and suicidality.
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Zhao S, Zhang J, Peng L, Yang W. Mental Health Outcomes among Chinese College Students over a Decade. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312742. [PMID: 34886469 PMCID: PMC8657580 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background: Economic growth in China has brought about significant social and psychological changes in society. Objective: This study aims to explore how the mental and psychological health of college students has changed over the past decade. Methods: We observed several cohort samples in a Chinese university over a decade and looked at five mental health outcomes, including suicidal ideation, depression, optimism, self-esteem, and perceived social support, throughout each year of testing. Results: Our study highlights the declining rates of suicidal ideation and depression, combined with relative stability and even small increases in optimism, self-esteem, and perceived social support across a range of demographic variables. Conclusions: The findings of this study imply that in the context of economic growth, stabilizing and improving positive mental health states can help prevent and reduce the risk of depression and suicidal ideation among college students. The study also highlighted the need for more public health campaigns and interventions in universities to help students cope with mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibo Zhao
- Department of Sociology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China; (S.Z.); (L.P.); (W.Y.)
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Sociology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China; (S.Z.); (L.P.); (W.Y.)
- Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lisu Peng
- Department of Sociology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China; (S.Z.); (L.P.); (W.Y.)
| | - Wenhui Yang
- Department of Sociology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China; (S.Z.); (L.P.); (W.Y.)
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7
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Opposite nonlinear effects of unemployment and sentiment on male and female suicide rates: Evidence from Australia. Soc Sci Med 2021; 292:114536. [PMID: 34772521 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigate gender differences in the effects of unemployment and sentiment on suicide rates. Using monthly Australian data, we find a positive relationship between the unemployment rate and the suicide rate, and a negative relationship between consumer sentiment and the suicide rate. However, there is strong evidence of nonlinearity in the effects of both unemployment and sentiment on suicide rates, with substantial gender differences. For men, an increase in the unemployment rate increases the suicide rate, but an unemployment decrease has no effect; we find the opposite for women. For men, an increase in sentiment has stronger effects on the suicide rate than a decrease in sentiment. Again, we observe the opposite effect for women. Among sentiment components, forward-looking expectations are stronger predictors of suicide rates than present conditions. Sentiment has a much stronger effect on male suicide rates than on female suicide rates.
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Gusmão R, Ramalheira C, Conceição V, Severo M, Mesquita E, Xavier M, Barros H. Suicide time-series structural change analysis in Portugal (1913-2018): Impact of register bias on suicide trends. J Affect Disord 2021; 291:65-75. [PMID: 34023749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a potentially preventable cause of death. Epidemiology might help to identify death determinants and to monitor prevention strategies. Few studies address secular trends in suicide deaths, and even fewer describe trend-changes in relation to data collection/registration bias. Moreover, suicide is admittedly underreported. It is crucial to validate results in the context of other external causes of death trends, such as unintentional and undetermined intent deaths. We aimed to explore trends in suicide and other external causes of death in Portugal from the inception of registries until 2018, considering breaks in series. METHODS We collected data from all available official primary sources. We calculated cause-specific age-standardized death rates (SDR) by sex for ages equal or higher than 15 years with reference to the European Standard Population. We considered suicide (S), undetermined intent deaths (UnD), accidents (Accs), and all causes of death (ttMty). A time-series structural analysis was executed. RESULTS Suicide and other external causes of death rates were consistently higher in males than females. A global decline of deaths by suicide, undetermined intention and unintentional is observable. Breakpoints in years 1930, 1954, 1982, 2000-2001 were associated with major changes in deaths registration procedures or methodology. CONCLUSIONS The epidemiology of suicide in Portugal has changed over 106 years. However, adjusted data and consideration of bias reduce trends fluctuation. Trend changes are akin to specific changes in methodology of death registry. Suicide surveillance will improve with more reliable and stable procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Gusmão
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Ramalheira
- Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal; Hospital de Cascais, Dr. José de Almeida, Portugal
| | - Virgínia Conceição
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
| | - Mílton Severo
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Edgar Mesquita
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Xavier
- NOVA Medical School, New University of Lisbon, Portugal; Directorate-General of Health, Ministry of Health, Portugal
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, Porto 4050-600, Portugal; Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
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9
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Amendola S, Plöderl M, Hengartner MP. Did the introduction and increased prescribing of antidepressants lead to changes in long-term trends of suicide rates? Eur J Public Health 2021; 31:291-297. [PMID: 33236104 PMCID: PMC8071590 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ecological studies have explored associations between suicide rates and antidepressant prescriptions in the population, but most of them are limited as they analyzed short-term correlations that may be spurious. The aim of this long-term study was to examine whether trends in suicide rates changed in three European countries when the first antidepressants were introduced in 1960 and when prescription rates increased steeply after 1990 with the introduction of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Methods Data were extracted from the WHO Mortality Database. Suicide rates were calculated for people aged 10–89 years from 1951–2015 for Italy, 1955–2016 for Austria and 1951–2013 for Switzerland. Trends in suicide rates stratified by gender were analyzed using joinpoint regression models. Results There was a general pattern of long-term trends that was broadly consistent across all three countries. Suicide rates were stable or decreasing during the 1950s and 1960s, they rose during the 1970s, peaked in the early 1980s and thereafter they declined. There were a few notable exceptions to these general trends. In Italian men, suicide rates increased until 1997, then fell sharply until 2006 and increased again from 2006 to 2015. In women from all three countries, there was an extended period during the 2000s when suicide rates were stable. No trend changes occurred around 1960 or 1990. Conclusions The introduction of antidepressants around 1960 and the sharp increase in prescriptions after 1990 with the introduction of the SSRIs did not coincide with trend changes in suicide rates in Italy, Austria or Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Amendola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Plöderl
- Department of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, Christian Doppler Clinic, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael P Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Alves J, Soares P, Rocha JV, Santana R, Nunes C. Evolution of inequalities in the coronavirus pandemics in Portugal: an ecological study. Eur J Public Health 2021; 31:1069-1075. [PMID: 33723606 PMCID: PMC7989252 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous literature shows systematic differences in health according to socioeconomic status (SES). However, there is no clear evidence that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection might be different across SES in Portugal. This work identifies the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worst-affected municipalities at four different time points in Portugal measured by prevalence of cases, and seeks to determine if these worst-affected areas are associated with SES. Methods The worst-affected areas were defined using the spatial scan statistic for the cumulative number of cases per municipality. The likelihood of being in a worst-affected area was then modelled using logistic regressions, as a function of area-based SES and health services supply. The analyses were repeated at four different time points of the COVID-19 pandemic: 1 April, 1 May, 1 June, and 1 July, corresponding to two moments before and during the confinement period and two moments thereafter. Results Twenty municipalities were identified as worst-affected areas in all four time points, most in the coastal area in the Northern part of the country. The areas of lower unemployment were less likely to be a worst-affected area on the 1 April [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.36 (0.14–0.91)], 1 May [AOR = 0.03 (0.00–0.41)] and 1 July [AOR = 0.40 (0.16–1.05)]. Conclusion This study shows a relationship between being in a worst-affected area and unemployment. Governments and public health authorities should formulate measures and be prepared to protect the most vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Alves
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: Joana Alves, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal, Tel: +351 217 512 186, e-mail:
| | - Patrícia Soares
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Victor Rocha
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Santana
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carla Nunes
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisboa, Portugal
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Chang YH, Gunnell D, Hsu CY, Chang SS, Cheng ATA. Gender difference in suicide in Taiwan over a century: a time trend analysis in 1905-1940 and 1959-2012. J Epidemiol Community Health 2020; 74:898-906. [PMID: 32665369 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2020-214058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide rates are higher in men than in women in most countries, although the gender ratios vary markedly worldwide. We investigated long-term trends in suicide rates and the male-to-female ratios in relation to age, method and economic factors in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial (1905-1940) and postwar (1959-2012) periods. METHODS Suicide data were from the Statistical Reports of Taiwan Governor's Office (1905-1940), Vital Statistics (1959-1970) and cause-of-death mortality data files (1971-2012). Annual age-standardised and age-specific/method-specific suicide rates by gender and the gender ratios were calculated and examined graphically. The associations between trends in economic indicators, suicide and suicide gender ratio were investigated using Prais-Winsten regression. RESULTS The male-to-female suicide rate ratio increased from below 1 in the 1900s to around 2 by 2000; the reversal was mainly due to a marked reduction in suicide rates in young women coupled with a rise in male suicide between 1905 and 1940. The gender ratio increased again from the 1980s onwards. Poisoning was the most common method in the 1970s-1980s, but its use decreased afterwards, more in women than in men proportionally. The use of gassing for suicide increased markedly in the 2000s and contributed to the rises in overall suicide and the gender ratio. Unemployment rates were more strongly associated with male suicide than female suicide in 1959-2012. Unemployment rates and gross domestic product per capita were positively associated with suicide gender ratios. CONCLUSIONS Gender differences in suicide changed remarkably in Taiwan over the past century; such change may be related to cultural, socioeconomic and method-specific factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Han Chang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - David Gunnell
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Chia-Yueh Hsu
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Sen Chang
- Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan .,Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Andrew Tai-Ann Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Rocha JVM, Nunes C. Can We Develop a Risk Map for Suicide Rates? An Ecological Study in Portugal. Community Ment Health J 2020; 56:532-539. [PMID: 31768928 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-019-00510-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Place of residence can influence suicide acts, beyond individual characteristics. The aim of this study was to identify areas with a greater risk of suicide, identify possible associations with ecological risk factors and develop a risk map of suicide in Portugal. Spatial scan statistic was used to identify critical areas and associations were analyzed through logistic regression models. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of suicides could be determined by a set of ecological risk factors, and that being a foreigner (OR 26.64; 95% CI 13.15-53.97), having no religion (OR 8.65; 95% CI 4.62-16.19) and having lower levels of education (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.09-3.64) are associated with a higher risk of suicide in Portugal. Results indicate that local risk factors should be taken into account, in accordance to the priority Health Program in the Mental Health area of the Directorate-General for Health of Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Nunes
- National School of Public Health, Lisbon, Portugal
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13
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Wang MC, Lin FL, Su HH, Kuo PL. Revisiting the Relationship Between Suicide and Unemployment in Mexico: Evidence From Linear and Non-linear Co-integration. Front Public Health 2020; 8:60. [PMID: 32195218 PMCID: PMC7064437 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study attempts to investigate if suicide is interlinked with unemployment in Mexico by making use of a recently developed Bootstrap ARDL bound test over the years of 1981–2016. To avoid omitting variable bias, we use economic growth rate as a control variable. The empirical results indicate that no co-integration among these three variables and there is a positively bidirectional causality between suicide rate and the unemployment rate. This study will showcase that the economic growth rate negatively affects unemployment rate and unidirectional Granger causality running from economic growth rate to the unemployment rate in Mexico. The findings presented in this study could provide with valuable information for society and health policy makers to formulate the policies on suicide prevention in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Chih Wang
- Department of Finance, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Li Lin
- Department of Accounting, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Hui Su
- Department of Applied English, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pao Lan Kuo
- Department of Finance, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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14
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López Steinmetz LC, López Steinmetz RL, Godoy JC. Is unemployment less important than expected for suicide attempted in developing regions? Occupational profile of suicide attempts in Jujuy, north westernmost Argentina. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2020; 66:67-75. [PMID: 31623478 DOI: 10.1177/0020764019882728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health practices consider unemployment as a suicide main risk factor, based on models built for populations of developed countries. AIM This study assesses the association between the occupational risk factor and suicidal behaviors, by considering sex, age and temporal distribution, in a Latin American Andean population from north westernmost Argentina. METHODS Data include 481 suicide attempt cases assisted by emergency service psychologists at a head hospital in the Jujuy Province, northern Argentina, during two biennials. General categories and specific types of occupational situation, sex, age and temporal distribution were analyzed. RESULTS 83.58% of cases corresponded to the with occupation category, but without occupation characterized male cases (p-value = .01). The type no referred occupation (19.15%) mainly contributed to this association (p-value = .02). Unemployed only represented 1.6%. These features revealed independent from the biennial period of assistance (p-value = .96 (general), p-value = .86 (specific)). Associations by age ranges did not seem to be specific of suicidal attempts. CONCLUSION The present contribution provides an occupational characterization of suicide attempts in an Andean population from north westernmost Argentina. Unemployment is not associated with suicidal behavior in this population, suggesting that dissimilar patterns underlie suicidal behavior of populations from developed and developing regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan Carlos Godoy
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (IIPsi-UNC-CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina
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Abstract
A relevant proportion of deaths by suicide have been attributed to other causes that produce the number of suicides remains hidden. The existence of a hidden number of cases is explained by the nature of the problem. Problems like this involve violence, and produce fear and social shame in victims' families. The existence of violence, fear and social shame experienced by victims favours a considerable number of suicides, identified as accidents or natural deaths. This paper proposes a short time discrete compartmental mathematical model to measure the suicidal risk for the case of Spain. The compartment model classifies and quantifies the amount of the Spanish population within the age intervals (16, 78) by their degree of suicide risk and their changes over time. Intercompartmental transits are due to the combination of quantitative and qualitative factors. Results are computed and simulations are performed to analyze the sensitivity of the model under uncertain coefficients.
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16
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Santos O, Lopes E, Virgolino A, Stefanovska-Petkovska M, Dinis A, Ambrósio S, Heitor MJ. Defining a Brief Intervention for the Promotion of Psychological Well-being among Unemployed Individuals through Expert Consensus. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:13. [PMID: 29467680 PMCID: PMC5808332 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic evidence highlights the harmful consequences of unemployment on health and well-being. This emphasizes the need to design low-cost interventions to prevent the adverse mental health effects of unemployment. The main aim of this study was to create expert-consensus regarding development and implementation of a brief, sustainable, and effective intervention program for promoting mental health among unemployed. METHODS The Delphi technique entailed a selected panel of 75 experts from various relevant professional backgrounds. Panel members were asked to state their level of agreement (5-point Likert scale) regarding (a) required characteristics for an effective mental health intervention for unemployed people and (b) key variables for assessing the effectiveness of that intervention. Consensus was obtained throughout two rounds of data collection through e-mail contact, with structured questionnaires. Items of the questionnaire were based on literature reviews about community-based interventions for unemployed individuals. RESULTS Overall, 46 experts collaborated with the Delphi process (final participation rate: 61.3%). Based on a review of the literature, 185 items were identified and grouped into two broad categories (set of characteristics of the intervention and set of variables for effectiveness assessment), aggregating a total of 11 dimensions. The two Delphi rounds resulted in the selection of 35 characteristic items for the intervention program and 54 variables for its effectiveness assessment. Brief group interventions were considered to be effective and sustainable for mental health promotion in unemployment conditions if targeting mental health literacy, training interpersonal skills, and job-search skills. CONCLUSION As agreed by the panel of experts, a brief, sustainable and effective intervention can be developed and implemented by accounting for unemployed capacity-building for mental health self-care and adequate job-searching attitudes and skills. These results should be further implemented in community and multisector-based standardized interventions, targeting mental health among unemployed people, ensuring adequate conditions for its effectiveness assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo Santos
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisa Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Dinis
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Ambrósio
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Heitor
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal
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