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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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12-02-2022 | Suicide | Original Paper

Associations between lifetime mental disorders and suicidal behaviors: findings from the Taiwan psychiatry morbidity survey

Authors: Jia-Chi Shan, I-Ming Chen, Po-Hsien Lin, Wei J. Chen, Shih-Cheng Liao, Ming-Been Lee, Po-Hsiu Kuo

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 8/2022

Abstract

Background

East Asia has high suicide rates but low prevalence of mental disorders. We examined the associations between prior lifetime mental disorders (mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and impulse control disorders) and subsequent suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideation and attempts in the general population and suicide plans, planned attempts, and unplanned attempts in suicidal ideators) in Taiwan.

Methods

This survey applied the World Mental Health Survey Composite International Diagnostic Interview to a population representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults between 2003 and 2005. Odds ratios (ORs) obtained using discrete-time survival analysis were used to estimate population attributable fractions (PAFs) of suicidal behaviors due to lifetime mental disorders.

Results

Lifetime mental illness was a significant risk factor for subsequent suicidal behaviors (except unplanned attempts among ideators) despite the relatively low prevalence of mental disorders in people with suicidality (16.1%–35.0%). Each diagnosis increased the odds of suicidal ideation. In terms of acting on suicidal ideation, mood disorders were most strongly associated with having plans (OR = 10.0; 95% confidence interval, CI 4.3–21.1), whereas substance use disorders most strongly with either planned (OR = 27.3; 95% CI 6.3–118.5) or unplanned attempts (OR = 14.5; 95% CI 1.7–121.5). PAFs of all mental disorders on suicidality lay between 20 and 30% (except 11% of unplanned attempts among ideators). Mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders had higher PAFs than impulse control disorders.

Conclusions

In addition to mood disorders, considering anxiety and substance use disorders is essential in devising population-based suicide prevention strategies.

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Title: Associations between lifetime mental disorders and suicidal behaviors: findings from the Taiwan psychiatry morbidity survey
Authors: Jia-Chi Shan
I-Ming Chen
Po-Hsien Lin
Wei J. Chen
Shih-Cheng Liao
Ming-Been Lee
Po-Hsiu Kuo
Publication date: 12-02-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Suicide
Suicide
Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorder
Affective Disorder
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 8/2022
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02236-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Associations between lifetime mental disorders and suicidal behaviors: findings from the Taiwan psychiatry morbidity survey

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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