Sociocultural factors associated with attitudes toward suicide in Australia

Abstract

To investigate the role of cultural and economic factors on suicide attitudes and stigma toward suicide, we recruited 230 Australian adults for an online survey, assessing demographic characteristics (including ethnicity and socioeconomic status, SES), suicide attitudes, stigma toward people who die by suicide, and public knowledge of suicide prevention (suicide literacy). Regression analyses indicated that participants affiliated with non-Anglo cultures or with higher SES had higher suicide stigma and lower suicide literacy than Anglo participants and those in lower SES areas. Increased stigma in minority cultural groups may impact help-seeking behaviors that protect against suicide.