The Role and Comparison of Stressful Life Events in Suicide and Suicide Attempt: A Descriptive-Analytical Study

Abstract

Background: In recent years, suicide in Iran has become a growing concern. Although stressful life events (SLEs) are increasing as a global prevalence, suicide attempters (SAs) and the impact and association between suicide and SLEs are poorly understood. Objectives: This study aimed at examining the role and effect of SLEs in suicides and SAs. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed during 2014 to 2016 based on 186 records (through random quota sampling) of suicidal behaviors (SBs), including 154 SAs and 32 suicide cases in Malekan County, East Azerbaijan, Iran. A valid semi-structured Life Event questionnaire (LEQ) with 43-items of common types of SLEs in the last year before SBs was used by trained interviewers through single sitting and face to face interviews. The point-biserial correlation and multiple logistic regression analysis were utilized to estimate the adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals for suicide risk. Results: A significant correlation was found between SLEs scores and suicide (R = 0.739). Comparing SLEs types between the two groups of SAs and suicides, it was revealed that the highest odds ratios were related to financial problems (OR = 11.9; 95% CI = 4.00 - 35.85), early marriage (OR = 4.97; 95% CI = 1.68 - 14.65), exposure to new conditions (OR = 8.79; 95% CI = 1.3 - 59.22), and family conflicts (OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.23 - 6.53), respectively. Conclusions: SLEs are most strongly associated with committing suicide. Suicide determinants are different from SA. SLEs management by health systems is imperative to improve life skills in suicide prevention.

A longitudinal study of suicide and suicide attempt in northwest of Iran: incidence, predictors, and socioeconomic status and the role of sociocultural status

“…In Iran, a 20-year trend indicates increased suicidal deaths with an estimated average rate of 9.9 per 100,000 persons per year. It is estimated that 200 years of life lost (YLL) per 100,000 persons are attributed to suicidal behaviors (SBs) and self-inflicted violence in Iran [5,6].…”

“…Suicide is a complex and multifactorial issue determined by several demographic and low socioeconomic status (SES), mental illness, sociocultural status (SCS), history of SBs, and health systems' performance concerning suicide prevention [5,7]. SES indicators, such as educational level, unemployment, and low income, have been reliably recognized as risk factors for suicide and SB [8].…”

Outcomes of community-based suicide prevention program in primary health care of Iran

“…In Iran, suicide is considered the fifth cause of death [ 12 ]. The incidence rate of suicide has increased over the past decades, especially in East Azarbaijan Province where there are limited studies on the subject [ 13 ]. Iran has a suicide rate between 1.4 and 29.6 per 100,000 population [ 14 ].…”

“…A community health assessment indicated that SB is the most important health problem in Malekan County, East Azarbaijan. A regional SPP was developed and implemented for suicide and SB prevention in the PHC setting during the period 2014–2017 years [ 13 , 16 ]. The findings and implications of this interventional study can be useful for health care systems.…”

Socio-demographic status and 12 years trend of completed suicide in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, during the period 2007–2018

“…Annually, approximately 1 million people die due to suicide, yet in many settings, most suicide deaths go undetected and these numbers are the tip of the iceberg [2,4]. Suicide rate is usually higher among developed and Eastern Europe and Eastern Meditation, and Islamic countries have lower suicide rates, due to many social and religious aspects and/or lack of effective registry for suicide systems [5,6]. However, based on standard mortality rates for suicide, low-and middleincome and high-income countries have similar rates at 11.2 and 12.7 per 100,000 people, respectively [7].…”