The Challenges of Predicting Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours in a Sample of Rural Australians with Depression.

The Challenges of Predicting Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours in a Sample of Rural Australians with Depression. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 May 07;15(5): Authors: Handley T, Rich J, Davies K, Lewin T, Kelly B Abstract Suicide is a leading cause of death, particularly in rural and remote areas. Although depression is strongly related to both suicidal ideation and attempt, it lacks specificity as a predictor, and little is known about characteristics that increase suicide risk among people with depression. A telephone version of the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview explored lifetime depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and related factors among a community-dwelling sample of rural and remote Australians, selected for an interview based on a screener for psychological distress (100% of those with high distress, 75% of those with moderate distress, and 16% of those with low distress). Of 1051 participants interviewed, 364 reported lifetime symptoms of depression; of these, 48% reported lifetime suicidal ideation and 16% reported a lifetime suicide attempt. While depression severity was a significant correlate of suicidality for both males and females, suicide attempt was significantly more common among females with a younger age of depression onset, and a higher number of psychiatric comorbidities. No additional factors were significant for males. Among rural and remote residents with ...
Source: Rural Remote Health - Category: Rural Health Authors: Tags: Int J Environ Res Public Health Source Type: research