Negative Life Events and Attempted Suicide in Rural China

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between negative life events (NLEs) and attempted suicide in rural China.MethodsSix rural counties were selected from disease surveillance points in Shandong province, China. A total of 409 suicide attempters in rural areas between October 1, 2009, and March 31, 2011, and an equal number of matched controls were interviewed. We compared negative life events experienced within 1 month, 1–3 months, 3–6months, and 6–2 months prior to attempted suicide for cases and prior to interview for controls. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the association between NLEs and attempted suicide.ResultsSuicide attempters experienced more NLEs within the last year prior to suicide attempt than controls prior to interview (83.1% vs. 33.5%). There was a significant dose-response relationship between NLEs experienced within the last year and increased risk of attempted suicide. Timing of NLEs analysis showed that NLEs experienced in the last month and 6–12 months prior to suicide attempt were significantly associated with elevated risk of attempted suicide, even after adjusting for mental disorders and demographic factors. Of NLEs, quarrelling with spouse, quarrelling with other family members, conflicting with friends or neighbors, family financial difficulty, and serious illness were independently related to attempted suicide.ConclusionNLEs are significantly associated with increased risk for attempted suicide in rural China. Stress management and intervention may be important to prevent suicidal behavior in rural China.

Positive and negative life events and reasons for living modulate suicidal ideation in a sample of patients with history of suicide attempts

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“…Acute and chronic stressors (and in particular interpersonal difficulties) are predictive of suicidal behavior (Bryan, Clemans, Leeson, & Rudd, 2015;Foster, 2011;Zhang, Jia, Zhang, Wang, & Liu, 2015). Unfortunately, individuals exposed to ACE are more likely to experience subsequent negative life events.…”

A self-harm series and its relationship with childhood adversity among adolescents in mainland China: a cross-sectional study

“…Stressful life events, including family financial difficulties, family conflicts, parental death and divorce [ 13 , 18 – 21 ], were more likely to cause SH among adolescents. Previous studies have reported that negative life event experiences or stressful life event scores and their prevalence are significantly higher in individuals who perform deliberate self-harm (DSH) or attempted suicide [ 22 – 24 ]. Furthermore, a significant dose-response relationship has been found for the number of negative life events and suicidal behaviours [ 24 ].…”