Culture, risk factors and suicide in rural China: a psychological autopsy case control study

Abstract

Objective-Previous research on sociocultural factors for Chinese suicide have been basically limited to single case studies or qualitative research with ethnographic methodology. The current study examines the major risk factors and some cultural uniqueness related to Chinese rural suicide using a quantitative design.Method-This is a case control study with 66 completed suicides and 66 living controls obtained from psychological autopsy interviews in rural China.Results-Both bivariate analyses and the multiple regression model have found that the Chinese rural suicide patterns are basically similar to those in most other cultures in the world: strong predictors of rural Chinese suicide are the psychopathological, psychological, and physical health variables, followed by social support and negative and stressful life events. Other significant correlates include lower education, poverty, religion, and family disputes.Conclusion-Culture has an important impact on suicide patterns in a society.

Characteristics of Chinese Suicide Attempters: An Emergency Room Study

“…The traditional Chinese cultural values and norms put women at a serious disadvantage: When a family dispute or crisis such as extramarital affairs occurs, the woman is typically blamed (Zhang, 1996). The Chinese culture that values the family could have made Chinese women more vulnerable than Chinese men to suicidal behaviors (Zhang et al, 2004).…”

“…One study (Ran et al, 2003) was based on data collected from a psychiatric elderly sample. To know more about the Chinese suicide, we need also to study the attempters from a general population, because a much lower percentage of completed suicides in China have been observed with psychiatric disorders than that found in the West (Phillips et al, 2002;Zhang et al, 2004). This current research project explores the characteristics of Chinese suicide attempters from non-psychiatric populations…”

“…Suicide in China has been a focus of study in recent years partially because of its uniqueness in the demographic structure of the rates-more women than men, more rural people than urban residents, and an astonishing prevalence among youth ages 15-34 (Phillips et al, 2002;Zhang et al, 2004). An optimal way to obtain first-hand knowledge about risk factors and cultural influences would be directly interviewing serious attempters of suicide.…”

“…The traditional Chinese cultural values and norms put women at a serious disadvantage: When a family dispute or crisis such as extramarital affairs occurs, the woman is typically blamed (Zhang, 1996). The Chinese culture that values the family could have made Chinese women more vulnerable than Chinese men to suicidal behaviors (Zhang et al, 2004).Metempsychosis, a belief popular in rural China, is the belief that one's immortal soul lives after death (Zhang et al, 2004). We asked present patients their wishes for the next life in terms of gender.…”

“…Compared with accident victims, these Chinese suicide attempters were younger, poorer, more likely to believe in a religion/superstition, more likely to perceive gender inequality, and less likely to experience support from either family or community. The traditional culture downplaying the status of women coupled with a belief in the transmigration of life may play an important role in the suicide of Chinese young women.Suicide in China has been a focus of study in recent years partially because of its uniqueness in the demographic structure of the rates-more women than men, more rural people than urban residents, and an astonishing prevalence among youth ages 15-34 (Phillips et al, 2002;Zhang et al, 2004). An optimal way to obtain first-hand knowledge about risk factors and cultural influences would be directly interviewing serious attempters of suicide.…”