Suicidal ideation in the general population in China after the COVID-19 pandemic was initially controlled

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders 2023-02, Vol.323, p.834-840
• Main Authors: Li, Shuangyan, Liu, Shuai, Zhang, Puxiao, Lin, Yanmei, Cui, Yingru, Gu, Yue, Wang, Jiajia, Liu, Zhongchun, Zhang, Bin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: China - epidemiology; Coronavirus; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cross-sectional survey; Depression - psychology; Ethnicity; Humans; Infectious diseases; Mental health; Minority Groups; Pandemics; Psychological symptoms; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.036

The COVID-19 pandemic increases the risk of psychological problems including suicidal ideation (SI) in the general population. In this study, we investigated the risk factors of SI after the COVID-19 pandemic was initially controlled in China. We conducted an online questionnaire via JD Health APP in China in June 2020. Demographic data, feelings and experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological problems were collected. The participants (n = 14,690) were divided into the non-SI and SI groups. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlates of SI. Nine percent of the participants (1328/14690) reported SI. The regression analysis showed that SI was positively associated with ethnic minority (OR = 1.42 [1.08–1.85]), age (e.g. 18–30 years: OR = 2.31 [1.67–3.20]), having history of mental disorders (OR = 2.75 [2.27–3.35]), daily life disturbance due to health problems (OR = 1.67 [1.38–2.01]), being around someone with the COVID-19 (OR = 1.58 [1.30–1.91]), being uncertain about effective disease control (OR = 1.23 [1.03–1.46]), and having depressive symptoms (OR = 4.40 [3.59–5.39]), insomnia symptoms (OR = 2.49 [2.13–2.90]) or psychological distress (OR = 1.87 [1.59–2.18]). The main limitation is that the cross-sectional design of this study could not allow us to further explore the causality of SI. The prevalence of SI was relatively high in general population after the COVID-19 pandemic was initially controlled in China. SI should be monitored continually after the COVID-19 pandemic. [Display omitted] •The rate of SI was still high after the COVID-19 pandemic was initially controlled.•Multiple factors were associated with suicidal ideation after the COVID-19 pandemic was initially controlled.•Mental health and SI should continue to be monitored after the COVID-19 pandemic.