Attitude Towards Suicide among Caregivers of Patients Admitted with Suicide Attempt to a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the attitude of caregivers towards suicide attempters could be useful in suicide prevention. The objective of this study was to study attitude towards suicide among caregivers of patients with suicide attempt admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 52 caregivers of patients with suicide attempt who had been admitted to a tertiary care hospital of Nepal after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee (ref. IRC/0797/016). Data were collected through interviews using the Attitude towards Suicide Questionnaire and in-depth interviews conducted on five caregivers using the interview framework developed in the department for the purpose. Data and descriptive analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. Content analysis was used for qualitative data. Results: Majority of the caregivers 34 (65.4%) had unfavorable attitude towards suicide. Caregivers reported that mental and chronic physical illness, financial difficulty, working environment, and social factors such as undue pressure and failure to perform the task, difficulty maintaining the relationship, abuse, and neglect could be some of the possible causes of suicide. Caring and understanding attitude of family members, health professionals, and society towards the suicidal individuals providing appropriate training and education to the public would help in reducing the stigma and burden of suicidal patients. Conclusions: The overall attitude of the caregivers was unfavorable. Interventions targeted towards improving attitude towards suicide could be helpful in suicide prevention.

Caring for a friend or family member who has experienced suicidal behaviour: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis

“…Fourteen studies described participants' emotional reactions (Asare‐Doku et al, 2017 ; Buus et al, 2014 ; Daly, 2005 ; Doyle et al, 2021 ; Dransart & Guerry, 2017 ; Garcia‐Williams & McGee, 2016 ; Hellerova et al, 2022 ; Ngwane & van Der Wath, 2019 ; Nosek, 2008 ; Nygaard et al, 2019 ; Talseth et al, 2001 ; Thapa et al, 2021 ; Vandewalle et al, 2021 ; Wolk‐Wasserman, 1987b ). The period following suicidal crises was described as ‘emotional turmoil’ (Daly, 2005 , p. 27), leaving carers with shock and anger at the desire of their friend or family member to end their lives (Asare‐Doku et al, 2017 ; Buus et al, 2014 ; Daly, 2005 ; Doyle et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Emphasising the magnitude of this emotional impact, one study identified post‐traumatic reactions to witnessing a suicide attempt, including re‐living the incident and emotional numbing (Ngwane & van Der Wath, 2019 ). Initial reactions gave way to ongoing stress as carers attempted to adapt to living alongside suicide risk (Buus et al, 2014 ; Daly, 2005 ; Doyle et al, 2021 ; Dransart & Guerry, 2017 ; Ngwane & van Der Wath, 2019 ; Nosek, 2008 ; Nygaard et al, 2019 ; Sellin et al, 2017 ; Talseth et al, 2001 ; Thapa et al, 2021 ; Vandewalle et al, 2021 ). Carers' persistent apprehension was described as ‘a constant concern.…”

“…Eight studies described the nature and value of effective communication with healthcare professionals (de Lange et al, 2021 ; Dransart & Guerry, 2017 ; Garcia‐Williams & McGee, 2016 ; Inscoe et al, 2021 ; Sellin et al, 2017 ; Talseth et al, 2001 ; Thapa et al, 2021 ; Vandewalle et al, 2021 ). Carers valued proactive information sharing: ‘…in the evening, at 19h, the psychiatrist calls me and then she tells me “you know, I have contacted your husband's GP…”.…”

“…Ten studies highlighted additional barriers to professional support (Buus et al, 2014 ; Daly, 2005 ; Dransart & Guerry, 2017 ; Fu et al, 2021 ; Hellerova et al, 2022 ; Inscoe et al, 2021 ; Talseth et al, 2001 ; Thapa et al, 2021 ; Vandewalle et al, 2021 ; Wolk‐Wasserman, 1987a ). This included long waiting times and a lack of hospital bed availability (Dransart & Guerry, 2017 ; Fu et al, 2021 ; Hellerova et al, 2022 ; Talseth et al, 2001 ; Vandewalle et al, 2021 ).…”

Suicide attempts, suicide and their association with socio-demographic variables in Iran: A retrospective, registry-based, cohort study (2016–2021)

“…The reasons for suicide attempts are various, but they may be classified into three main categories: mental diseases, social challenges, and physical conditions [13][14][15]. Depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, schizophrenia [16,17], and personality disorders have been identified as relevant risk factors for suicide attempts [18,19].…”