TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychosocial stressors may be strongly associated with suicide attempts
AU - Baca-Garcia, Enrique
AU - Parra, Claudia P.
AU - Perez-Rodriguez, M. Mercedes
AU - Sastre, Carmen Diaz
AU - Torres, Raquel Reyes
AU - Saiz-Ruiz, Jeronimo
AU - De Leon, Jose
PY - 2007/8
Y1 - 2007/8
N2 - Stressful life events are associated with a high proportion of suicide attempts. The aim of this study is to clarify the importance of psychosocial stressors in suicidal behaviour. A total of 258 suicide attempters seen at a general hospital emergency room, and 325 blood donors without suicide/psychiatric disorder history were recruited. Acute and chronic life events were assessed with the St. Paul Ramsey Life Experience Scale and Holmes and Rahe's Social Adjustment Scale, respectively. Lifelong adverse experiences were also assessed. After univariate analyses, the significant variables were introduced in a multivariate analysis (logistic regression). The logistic regression with a dependent variable (attempter versus control status) included psychosocial stressors (partner conflicts [odds ratio (OR) = 33.6] and other interpersonal conflicts [OR = 10.5], modification of life habits [OR = 14.6], and adult physical abuse [OR = 7.1]). Confounding factors with significant ORs were Cluster B traits [OR = 21.2]; and two protective factors, living with a partner [OR = 0.25] and currently working [OR = 0.06]. Psychosocial stressors and Cluster B traits appeared to be strongly associated with suicide attempter status. One limitation of the study is the lack of inclusion of psychiatric controls (psychiatric patients without history of suicide attempts). Another limitation is the difficulty of determining suicide intent. Finally, this study is mainly a replication of prior knowledge of psychosocial stressors, but compares their association strength (OR > 10) with the association strength of prior biological findings (OR = 1-2).
AB - Stressful life events are associated with a high proportion of suicide attempts. The aim of this study is to clarify the importance of psychosocial stressors in suicidal behaviour. A total of 258 suicide attempters seen at a general hospital emergency room, and 325 blood donors without suicide/psychiatric disorder history were recruited. Acute and chronic life events were assessed with the St. Paul Ramsey Life Experience Scale and Holmes and Rahe's Social Adjustment Scale, respectively. Lifelong adverse experiences were also assessed. After univariate analyses, the significant variables were introduced in a multivariate analysis (logistic regression). The logistic regression with a dependent variable (attempter versus control status) included psychosocial stressors (partner conflicts [odds ratio (OR) = 33.6] and other interpersonal conflicts [OR = 10.5], modification of life habits [OR = 14.6], and adult physical abuse [OR = 7.1]). Confounding factors with significant ORs were Cluster B traits [OR = 21.2]; and two protective factors, living with a partner [OR = 0.25] and currently working [OR = 0.06]. Psychosocial stressors and Cluster B traits appeared to be strongly associated with suicide attempter status. One limitation of the study is the lack of inclusion of psychiatric controls (psychiatric patients without history of suicide attempts). Another limitation is the difficulty of determining suicide intent. Finally, this study is mainly a replication of prior knowledge of psychosocial stressors, but compares their association strength (OR > 10) with the association strength of prior biological findings (OR = 1-2).
KW - Attempted suicide
KW - Life change events
KW - Logistic regression
KW - Psychosocial stressors
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U2 - 10.1002/smi.1137
DO - 10.1002/smi.1137
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34548283028
SN - 1532-3005
VL - 23
SP - 191
EP - 198
JO - Stress and Health
JF - Stress and Health
IS - 3
ER -