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The role of social support in suicidal ideation: a comparison of employed vs. unemployed people
- Authors:
- FARIAS Miguel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 29(1), 2020, pp.52-59.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: With the financial crisis, the number of unemployed has grown up, and so has suicidal ideation in these individuals. Although extensive research has been done about the factors associated with it, studies about protective factors are also necessary. Aims: To examine the relationship between unemployment and suicidal ideation, and the protective effect of social support. Methods: Participants were 149 people in full-time employment (age M = 41.63, SD = 10.37), 55 unemployed (M = 42.25, SD = 10.23 years), and 32.72 months average unemployment time (SD = 26.13). Instruments were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) and the Social Support Appraisal (SSA). Results: Suicidal ideation was significantly higher in the unemployed group, and positively associated with duration of unemployment. Social support, both from family and friends, was found to be a protective factor in suicidal ideation, particularly in long-term unemployment. Limitations: Cross-sectional study, convenience sample. Conclusions: Suicidal ideation is markedly present in unemployed individuals, particularly those unemployed for a year or more, and social support from family and friends may act as a significant protective factor. (Publisher abstract)
Dying from inequality: socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour. Summary report, 2017
- Author:
- SAMARITANS
- Publisher:
- Samaritans
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- Ewell
This report explores the links between socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour, setting out how low income and unmanageable debt, unemployment, poor housing, and other socioeconomic factors contribute to high suicide rates in the most disadvantaged communities. The report finds that suicide risk increases during periods of economic recession while countries with higher levels of per capita spending on active labour market programmes, and which have more generous unemployment benefits, experience lower recession-related rises in suicides. There is a strong association between area-level deprivation and suicidal behaviour: suicide rates are two to three times higher in the most deprived neighbourhoods compared to the most affluent. The risk of suicidal behaviour increases when an individual faces negative life events, such as adversity, relationship breakdown, social isolation, or experiences stigma, emotional distress or poor mental health. Socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are more likely to experience ongoing stress and negative life events, thus increasing their risk of suicidal behaviour. In the UK, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are less likely to seek help for mental health problems than the more affluent, and are less likely to be referred to specialist mental health services following self-harm by GPs located in deprived areas. The report makes a number of recommendations for action, and calls on government, businesses, industry and sector leaders to work together so that fewer people die by suicide. (Edited publisher abstract)
Socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour: full report
- Editor:
- SAMARITANS
- Publisher:
- Samaritans
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 181
- Place of publication:
- Ewell
This report provides evidence of a strong link between socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour, providing a deeper understanding of the nature of this association, how it might be explained, and a consideration of the implications for policy and practice. The report explores key issues from different disciplinary perspectives, including economics, geography, psychology, public health, social policy and sociology, focusing on: the impact of place on suicidal behaviour; socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour during times of economic recession and recovery; social and labour market policies and suicidal behaviour; psychological factors underpinning the relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour; a qualitative synthesis of the accounts of those who have self-harmed; and how people in the UK understand the impacts of socioeconomic disadvantage on their mental health and risk factors for suicide. The report finds that unemployment is a key risk factor for suicidal behaviour in men while the association is weaker for women; and the higher risk for men is exacerbated during a downturn or period of economic growth. Recognising the important role of labour market policies in shaping the experience and occurrence of unemployment and job insecurity, the report also examines how suicidal behaviour and related common mental disorders could be reduced through labour market policy design. The report also finds that the risk of suicidal behaviour increases when an individual faces negative life events, such as adversity, relationship breakdown, social isolation, or experiences stigma, emotional distress or poor mental health. Socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are more likely to experience ongoing stress and negative life events, thus increasing their risk of suicidal behaviour. In addition, the report explores how people understand the impacts of socioeconomic disadvantage on their mental health and risk factors for suicide. The report makes a number of recommendations for action, and calls on government, businesses, industry and sector leaders to work together so that fewer people die by suicide. (Edited publisher abstract)
Socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour: a rapid review
- Author:
- PLATT Stephen
- Publisher:
- Samaritans
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- Ewell
This review considers the empirical relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage and suicidal behaviour, highlighting the evidence relating to the UK (as a whole or its constituent nations) and the Republic of Ireland. The weight of evidence summarised in the review points to a significant association between socioeconomic disadvantage (across a range of indicators at both individual and area levels), on the one hand, and suicidal behaviour (suicide and self-harm), on the other. In particular, the review focuses on unemployment and economic recession; occupational status, occupation and suicidal behaviour; education and housing tenure; socioeconomic characteristics of geographical areas; and the relative importance of individual- and area-level inequalities on suicide risk. The review identifies possible pathways to increased risk of suicidal behaviour. At the individual level, these include: accumulated adverse life-course experiences (e.g., health, employment, living conditions); powerlessness, stigma and disrespect; experiencing other features of social exclusion (e.g., poverty, poor educational attainment); living in socioeconomically deprived area; poor physical and mental health; unhealthy lifestyles, i.e. smoking; and social disconnectedness (e.g., loneliness, isolation, poor social support, negative relationships). At the contextual level, pathways to increased risk of suicidal behaviour include: physical (e.g., poor housing conditions); cultural (e.g., tolerant attitudes to suicide); political (e.g., adverse local public policy); economic (e.g., lack of job opportunities; social (e.g., weak social capital); history (e.g., high incidence of suicidal behaviour); infrastructure (e.g., poor quality, accessibility, acceptability of services); and health and well-being (e.g., high prevalence of poor physical and mental health). (Edited publisher abstract)
Suicide and mental health problems among Swedish youth the wake of the 1990s recession
- Authors:
- HAGQUIST Curt, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 9(3), July 2000, pp.211-219.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study brings together a variety of Swedish data sources with indicators of youth mental health and living conditions in order to illuminate trends during the last decades, elucidate possible determinants of mental ill health and develop hypotheses to explain the observed trend patterns. The analyses in the study reveal some surprising inconsistencies with respect to the mental health trends among young people during the 1990s. Most striking is the pattern of increasing youth unemployment coinciding with almost inverse trends in the rates of suicide. The secular trends in fatal suicides during this period do not show any increase but some actual decrease in sub-populations despite high sustained levels of unemployment. In contrast, survey data indicate that the general mental health of youth during this period appears to have deteriorated.
Unemployment, age, gender and regional suicide in England and Wales 1973-90: a harbinger of increased suicide for the 1990s?
- Author:
- PRITCHARD Colin
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 25(6), December 1995, pp.767-790.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The Department of Health's 'Health of the Nation' aims at a substantial reduction in suicide. However, there are a number of socioeconomic changes that have occurred which may lead to increased suicide. Using suicide data and unemployment data finds out if they are in any way linked and discusses the implications of the findings for practitioners in probation and social services departments.
Suicides in ethnic minorities within 12 months of contact with mental health services: national clinical survey
- Authors:
- HUNT Isabelle M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 183(8), August 2003, pp.155-160.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Information on suicide by psychiatric patients from ethnic minority groups is scarce. This article aims to establish the number of patients from ethnic minorities who kill themselves; to describe their suicide methods, and their social and clinical characteristics. A national clinical survey was based on a 4-year sample of suicides in England and Wales. Detailed data were collected on those who had been in contact with mental health services in the year before death. In total 282 patients from ethnic minorities died by suicide – 6% of all patient suicides. The most common method of suicide was hanging; violent methods were more common than in White patient suicides. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis. Ethnic minority patients were more likely to have been unemployed than White patients and to have had a history of violence and recent non-compliance. In around half, this was the first episode of self-harm. Black Caribbean patients had the highest rates of schizophrenia (74%), unemployment, living alone, previous violence and drug misuse. In order to reduce the number of suicides by ethnic minority patients, services should address the complex health and social needs of people with severe mental illness.
Relationship of suicide rates to social factors and availability of lethal methods: comparison of suicide in Newcastle upon Tyne 1961-1965 and 1985-1994
- Authors:
- SCHAPIRA Kurt, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 178, May 2001, pp.458-464.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Studies causes of change in suicide rate over a 30-year period in Newcastle upon Tyne. Suicide rates and methods, based on coroners' inquest records, were compared over two periods (1961-1965 and 1985-1994) and differences were related to changes in exposure to poisons and prescribed drugs, and to socio-demographic changes. Finds that demographic and social changes had taken place which would adversely affect suicide rates. However, a dramatic fall was found in the rate for women, and a modest decline in that for men. Reduced exposure to carbon monoxide and to barbiturates coincided with the fall in rates. Concludes that reduced exposure to lethal methods was responsible for the fall in rate in both genders, while the gender difference in favour of women may be related to their preference for non-violent methods or to their being less affected by the social changes.
Comparison of the outcome and treatment of psychosis in people of Caribbean origin living in the UK and British Whites: report from the UK700 trial
- Authors:
- McKENZIE K., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 178, February 2001, pp.160-165.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The comparative outcome of psychosis in British Whites and UK African-Caribbeans is unclear. Some report that African-Caribbeans have worse outcome, whereas others claim better symptomatic outcome and a more benign course. This research aims to compare the course, outcome and treatment of psychosis in African-Caribbeans and British Whites in a large multi-centre sample. Outcome measures (hospitalisation, illness course, self-harm, social disability and treatment received) were adjusted for socio-economic and clinical differences between groups at baseline using regression analysis. Results found African-Caribbeans were less likely to have a continuous illness and to receive treatment with antidepressants or psychotherapy. Concludes that the outcome of psychosis is complex but differs between UK African-Caribbeans and British Whites. This may reflect risk factors that increase the rate of psychosis in UK African-Caribbeans. Treatment differences require further investigation.
A handbook of research for the helping professions
- Author:
- SUTTON Carole
- Publisher:
- Routledge and Kegan Paul
- Publication year:
- 1987
- Pagination:
- 425p., tables, diags., bibliog
- Place of publication:
- London