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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 4/2008

01-04-2008 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Attitudes towards suicide among Kurdish people in Iran

Authors: Naser Mofidi, Mehdi Ghazinour, Elenor Salander-Renberg, Prof. Dr. Jörg Richter

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 4/2008

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Abstract

Background

Attitudes towards suicide represent a key stage in the pathway leading to suicide. A deeper understanding of the social, psychological and treatment-related factors influencing the development of attitudes towards suicide could guide suicide prevention strategies especially in a neglected population like Kurds.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study in Iranian Kurdistan, 1,000 households participated in the investigation from April to May 2006 selected by a cluster random sampling process. A questionnaire on attitudes towards suicide (ATTS) was used to measure suicide related attitudes and thoughts.

Results

Suicide related experiences were more often reported from the wider social network (relative, friends, acquaintances) than from family members. There is a significant accumulation of suicide related experiences when a related event was reported in the close family. The level of suicide related attitudes is related to age, gender, marital status, level of education and employment status.

Discussion

Openness towards the topic of suicide as well as abilities to communicate about it should be improved by educating the public and additionally be promoted by changing conservative value systems.
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Metadata
Title
Attitudes towards suicide among Kurdish people in Iran
Authors
Naser Mofidi
Mehdi Ghazinour
Elenor Salander-Renberg
Prof. Dr. Jörg Richter
Publication date
01-04-2008
Publisher
D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 4/2008
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0296-7

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