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IMH Publication
Prevalence and correlates of suicide planning and attempt among individuals with suicidal ideation
13 February 2023
This study examines how often suicidal thoughts lead to planning or attempts, and what factors increase the risk. Read on to learn about key findings from Singapore's 2016 Mental Health Study.
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Prevalence and correlates of suicide planning and attempt among individuals with suicidal ideation: Results from a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Yen Sin Koh, Shazana Shahwan, Anitha Jeyagurunathan, Edimansyah Abdin, Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar, Wai Leng Chow, Siow Ann Chong, Mythily Subramaniam
Background
Suicidality spans from having suicidal ideation to planning and making an attempt. However, not all individuals with suicidal thoughts will proceed to plan or attempt suicide. Our study investigated (i) the prevalence of suicide planning and attempt among those with suicidal ideation and (ii) their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, mental disorders, adverse childhood events and prior suicidal behaviour.
Method
This cross-sectional analysis utilised data from Singapore Mental Health Study 2016. Only respondents with suicidal ideation were included. A total of 411 and 365 individuals were examined to establish the prevalence of suicide planning and attempt respectively. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to determine associations.
Results
The prevalence of suicide planning and attempt were 17.7 % and 10.6 % respectively, with >80.0 % occurring within a year of suicidal ideation. Suicide planning was more likely among those who had mood disorders. Suicide attempt was more likely for those were currently married, had lower educational qualifications, history of anxiety disorders, history of emotional neglect and parental separation.
Limitations
Recall bias may be present because the age of onset for various mental disorders and suicidal behaviours were self-reported. As suicide was criminalised when the study was conducted, the prevalence of suicidal behaviours may have been underestimated.
Conclusion
Individuals at risk of suicide planning and attempt should be identified early since most of them progressed within a year. Findings suggest the importance of including prior suicide behaviour and history of dysfunctional family and emotional abuse in suicide risk assessment and intervention.