Measures of mental, physical, and social wellbeing and their association with death by suicide and self-harm in a cohort of 266,324 persons aged 45 years and over

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the relation of mental, physical, and social wellbeing measures to death by suicide and self-harm (SH).

Methods Using a cohort design, questionnaire data on 266,324 responders aged ≥ 45 years, living in NSW, Australia were linked to hospital and death databases during 2006–2017. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated.

Results Overall, 212 suicides and 723 SH episodes were observed. A dose–response relationship with suicidal behaviour was found for Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale; IRRs of 4.5 (95% CI 2.4–8.3) for suicide and 8.3 (95% CI 6.5–10.7) for SH were observed for scores of high versus low distress. Elevated rates were also observed for those reporting poor versus good or excellent health (suicide, IRR: 3.8, 95% CI 2.2–6.9; SH, IRR: 4.5 95% CI 3.4–6.1); being dependent versus not dependent on help with daily tasks (suicide, IRR: 2.4 95% CI 1.5–3.7; SH, IRR: 2.6 95% CI 2.0–3.3); being a current smoker (suicide, IRR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9; SH, IRR: 2.9 95% CI 2.3–3.5) having versus not having male erectile problems (SH, IRR: 1.9 95% CI 1.4–2.5). Participants with ≥ 5 people versus one person to depend on had reduced suicidal behaviour (suicide, IRR: 0.5 95% CI 0.3–0.7, SH, IRR: 0.5 95% CI 0.4–0.6).

Conclusions An active social network was linked to lower rates of suicide and self-harm. Adverse health, dependence on help, psychological distress were associated with higher rates of suicide and self-harm, while erectile problems were linked to an elevated rate of self-harm.