Factors influencing the development and amelioration of suicidal thoughts in the general population: Cohort study

The incidence of suicidal thoughts in the British population is unknown. To determine the factors associated with the development of, and recovery from, suicidal thoughts. An 18-month follow-up survey investigated 2404 of the adults who took part in the second National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 2004-11, Vol.185 (5), p.385-393
Main Authors: Gunnell, D, Harbord, R, Singleton, N, Jenkins, R, Lewis, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age groups
Aged
Antidepressants
Epidemiology
Gender
Households
Humans
Incidence
Interviews
Mental disorders
Middle Aged
Morbidity
Polls & surveys
Prevention
Psychiatric morbidity
Psychiatry
Risk Factors
Social Class
Social interactions
Social support
Suicidal ideation
Suicide
Suicide - psychology
Suicide - statistics & numerical data
Suicides & suicide attempts
Thinking
Unemployed people
United Kingdom - epidemiology
Women
Young adults
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Summary:The incidence of suicidal thoughts in the British population is unknown. To determine the factors associated with the development of, and recovery from, suicidal thoughts. An 18-month follow-up survey investigated 2404 of the adults who took part in the second National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. The annual incidence of suicidal thoughts was 2.3%. Incidence was highest in women and among 16- to 24-year-olds. Increased incidence was associated with not being in a stable relationship, low levels of social support and being unemployed. Fifty-seven per cent of those with suicidal thoughts at baseline had recovered by the 18-month follow-up interview. Risk factors for suicidal thoughts are similar to those for completed suicide, although the age and gender patterning is different. Fewer than 1 in 200 people who experience suicidal thoughts go on to complete suicide. Further study into explanations for the differences in the epidemiology of suicidal thoughts and suicide is crucial to understanding the pathways (protective and precipitating) linking suicidal thoughts to completed suicide and should help inform effective prevention of suicide.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.185.5.385