Citation

Kodaka M, Matsumoto T, Yamauchi T, Takai M, Shirakawa N, Takeshima T. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2016; 71(4): 271-279.

Affiliation

Mental Health and Welfare Center, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/pcn.12498

PMID

28004479

Abstract

AIM: Although the female suicide rate in Japan is one of the highest among OECD countries, little has been done to assess the psychosocial and psychiatric characteristics of Japanese female suicide completers. This study aimed to examine gender differences in psychosocial and psychiatric characteristics of suicide completers using a psychological autopsy study method, and identify female suicide factors and intervention points to prevent female suicides.

METHODS: A semi-structured interview was conducted with close family members of adult suicide completers. The interview included questions regarding socio-demographic factors, suicide characteristics, previous suicidal behaviors and a family history of suicidal behaviors, financial problems, and physical/psychiatric problems. Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test were used to explore gender differences in these survey items, and individual descriptive information of female suicide cases was also examined.

RESULTS: Of the 92 suicide completers, 28 were female and 64 were male. Females had a significantly higher prevalence of a history of self-harm/suicide attempts (P < 0.001). The prevalence of eating disorders was significantly higher among females than males (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight the importance of providing psychological and social support to caregivers of those who repeatedly attempt suicide and express suicidal thoughts, and suggest the need to improve community care systems to be aware of suicide risk factors among female suicide attempters.

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Language: en