Self-reported disability and quality of life in an online Australian community sample with suicidal thoughts

Abstract

Background: Limited research has been conducted to quantify the level of disability and health related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The aims of the current study were to (1) describe levels of disability and HRQoL in an Australian sample of adults with suicidal ideation, (2) examine the effect of zero, one, or more than one previous suicide attempt on disability and HRQoL, and (3) describe the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with disability and HRQoL. Method: Data for the current study is drawn from the baseline assessment of the Healthy Thinking trial that evaluated the effectiveness of an online self-help program for suicidal thoughts in an Australian adult community sample (n = 418). Measures of disability, quality of life, clinical symptoms, suicidality and demographic variables were included. Results: The mean disability score for the overall sample was 19.2 (SD = =8.9), while the mean perceived physical health score was 40.7 (SD = =6.5) and the mean perceived mental health score was 36.1 (SD = =5.9). Higher levels of disability and lower levels of perceived physical health were associated with multiple suicide attempts compared to one or no history of suicide attempt. Limitations: Limitations included the limited generalisability of results, the use of self-report to assess suicide attempts, and the use of cross-sectional data. Conclusion: Suicidal thoughts and behaviours are associated with high levels disability and low levels of perceived physical and mental health. Early intervention programs are needed to reduce the high levels of burden associated with suicidality. Only a few studies have examined the association between

The associations between depressive symptoms, functional impairment, and quality of life, in patients with major depression: undirected and Bayesian network analyses

“…Both undirected and directed analyses identified a connection between suicidal ideation and a reduced QOL and the most likely direction was from suicidal ideation to QOL, rather than vice versa. This was in line with other studies finding that suicidal ideation was associated with QOL (Almeida et al, 2021;Beşirli, Alptekin, Kaymak, & Özer, 2020;van Spijker et al, 2020) and suicidal thinking may reduce QOL (Hidalgo-Rasmussen & Martín, 2015;Kim et al, 2019;van Spijker, van Straten, Kerkhof, Hoeymans, & Smit, 2011). It should be noted that there are also some previous studies indicating that a low QOL could be a risk factor for suicidal ideation (Fairweather-Schmidt, Batterham, Butterworth, & Nada-Raja, 2016;Faure et al, 2018;Sinclair, Hawton, & Gray, 2010;van Spijker et al, 2020).…”

Disability, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in Australian adults: An investigation using 19 waves of a longitudinal cohort

“…The scores of HRQoL for the disabled on PCS, MCS, SF-6D and in each of the eight subscales of the SF-36 are smaller than those without disability. Similar associations between disability and HRQoL were reported in Australia [ 43 ] and North America [ 44 ]. One plausible reason for the association between disability and low HRQoL is the high perception of poor physical health due to the limitations in the performance of physical functions [ 43 ].…”

“…Similar associations between disability and HRQoL were reported in Australia [ 43 ] and North America [ 44 ]. One plausible reason for the association between disability and low HRQoL is the high perception of poor physical health due to the limitations in the performance of physical functions [ 43 ]. For example, an earlier study found that limitations in the performance of activities of daily living such as hygiene and dressing were major contributors to low HRQoL among persons with upper limb post-stroke spasticity [ 44 ].…”

Functional impairment, internalized stigma, and well-being: Considerations for recovery-oriented suicide prevention for U.S. veterans with serious mental illness.

“…Notably, functional impairment in this cohort was extremely elevated, such that the average score was more than double that of a normative sample of people with one or more mental disorders in the past 12 months highlighting the severity of this group (Andrews et al, 2009). Furthermore, because of the previously documented inverse relationship between suicidal ideation and perceived physical health (Dai et al, 2020; van Spijker et al, 2020), PRRCs should continue with a whole health approach through care coordination and treatment planning with primary care physicians, pain management specialists, holistic health providers, and other medical professionals. This incorporation of additional medical specialists (e.g., nurses) may also aid in improving overall well-being and functioning.…”