Judgements of different respondents on the causes of suicidal behavior / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the attribution of suicidal behavior which was judged by different respondents of suicide and suicide attempts.Methods Suicide attempts (120 cases) and suicide deaths (151 cases) were recruited.For each cases,a co-habitat family member and an associate (majority were neighbors) were interviewed independently.The attempter himself/herself was also interviewed.Every respondent reported the cause of the index suicide behavior,life events occurred one year prior to suicidal behavior,and depressive symptoms in one month prior to suicidal behavior.Results For suicide group,31.2％ of family member respondent attributed the index suicidal behavior to physical illness,15.6％ of them attributed it to family conflicts,and 7.8％ of them attributed it to depression.However,among associate respondents,24.8％,28.4％ and 13.5％ of them attributed the index suicidal behavior to physical illness,family conflicts,and depression.Family members were less likely attributed suicidal behavior to family conflict (x2=11.17,P ＜0.01),and associates were less likely attributed it to physical illness (Fisher's exact test,P＜0.01).In suicide attempt group,61.2％ of attempters themselves,60.5％ of family members and 69.2％ of associates attributed suicidal behavior to family conflict;10.3％ of attempters themselves,11.4％ of family members and 3.4％ of associates attributed it to physical illness.The associates were less likely attributed it to physical illness (Cochran Q=12.80,P＜0.01).Only 4.3％ of attempters,2.6％ of family members and 2.6％ of associates attributed index suicide behavior to depression.In the attempt group,29 attempters themselves,14 family members and 9 associates reported that the attempter had five or above depressive symptoms,but only 1 attempter himself,1 family member and none of associates attributed the attempt to depression.In suicide death group,45 family members and 49 associates reported the decedents had five or above depressive symptoms,but only 6 family member and l0 associates attributed index suicidal behaviors to depression.The respondents who attributed index suicidal behavior to family conflict reported a higher score of acute stress due to life events of family conflicts.Conclusion All respondents underestimate the effect of depression on suicidal behaviors.It is important to promote public health education on depression.Family conflict is one of the major precipitating factors of suicide behavior in China.