Risk and Protective Factors of People Who Attempted Suicide in the 7 Health District of Thailand

Abstract

Objective: To study the risk and protective factors of people who attempted suicide.
Materials and methods: This case-control study examined the risk and protective factors of 89 people who attempted suicide (cases) in the 7th Health District of Thailand and 267 general people (control). Data were collected using a researcher-developed structured interview guide and survey form with a reliability of 0.88. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and odds ratios using Stata, version 10, setting a significance alpha level at 0.05.
Results: Risk factors associated with attempted suicide were marital status (divorced or widowed) (OR = 7.77; 95% CI = 1.18 - 51.22), history of physical abuse by a parent or caregiver (OR = 11.44; 95% CI = 1.67 - 78.17), and conflict with a family member or a neighbor during the past 3 months (OR = 19.14; 95% CI = 3.78 - 96.94). Protective factors associated with a suicide attempt were having problem-solving skills (OR = 0.02;95%. CI = 0.00 - 0.16) and supportive people during difficult situations (OR = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.00 - 0.48).
Conclusion: Prevention of suicide requires health care professionals to increase their awareness and pay greater attention to promoting problem solving skills. Health care professionals need to discover the suicidal person’s social support system and psychological resources to enhance the protective factors to avoid further attempts. These strategies can be applied to help people who attempt suicide to problem solve more effectively.