Who dies and who survives? Investigating the difference between suicide decedents and suicide attempters

Abstract

Background: In spite of mounting evidence, it is still unclear whether suicide decedents and attempters represent overlapping or completely different populations of suicidal behavior subphenotypes. Hence, the present study aims to investigate the sociodemographic and suicidal behavior variables and the difference between suicide decedents and suicide attempters. Methods: One hundred fifty suicide attempters and key informants of 206 suicide decedents were interviewed for sociodemographic and suicidal behavior characteristics using a semi-structured interview schedule. The statistical analysis was performed in SPSS ver. 20. Results: The sociodemographic and suicidal behavior variables that distinguish suicide and suicide attempt in the multivariate logistics model were higher age (OR, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.032–1.09, p < 0.001), male gender (OR, 95% CI = 2.46, 1.39–4.34, p = 0.002), low socioeconomic status (OR, 95% CI = 0.94, 0.90–0.98, p = 0.005), occurrence in autumn season (OR, 95% CI = 2.53, 1.16–5.50, p = 0.019), and usage of violent suicide method (OR, 95% CI = 17.82, 7.33–43.32, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Suicide decedents were more likely to be older males, economically weaker, and commit suicide in an autumn season using violent suicide method. These findings emphasize the significance of distinct suicide prevention strategies for suicide decedents and suicide attempters.