Stoliker BE, Abderhalden FP. People in Custody With a Suicidal History: An Ideation-to-Action Perspective Involving Individuals Incarcerated in Two U.S. Jails.
Arch Suicide Res 2021;
27:231-245. [PMID:
34582321 DOI:
10.1080/13811118.2021.1982095]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Despite high suicide mortality in U.S. jails, little is known about the cognitive (ideation) and behavioral (attempt) spectrum of suicide risk in this population. Identifying factors associated with the development of suicidal ideation, as well as the translation of thoughts to acts of suicide, is important for suicide prevention.
METHOD
Using data from a cross-sectional study conducted in 2018-2019, we investigated suicidal ideation and attempt among 548 individuals incarcerated in jail in the United States. Specifically, we compared those with suicidal ideation (n = 212) to those without suicidal ideation (n = 336), as well as compared those who had experienced suicidal ideation and attempted suicide (n = 114) to those who thought about suicide without making an attempt (n = 98), on a range of sociodemographic and clinical factors.
RESULTS
Over one-third (38.7%) of participants had a history of suicidal ideation, whereas 23.3% had attempted suicide. In the adjusted analyses, a family history of suicide (OR = 2.09), drug use (OR = 2.26), social support (OR = 0.61), and self-harm (OR = 24.93) were linked to suicidal ideation. No wish to live (OR = 5.26) and interpersonal violence while intoxicated (OR = 2.41) were associated with the progression from suicidal ideation to a suicide attempt.
CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with extant theoretical and empirical work, findings suggest that factors linked to the development of suicidal cognitions differ from those underlying the progression from suicidal ideation to a (non-lethal) suicide attempt.HIGHLIGHTSSuicidal risk is particularly high among individuals who are incarcerated in jail.Factors linked to suicidal ideation differ from those underlying acts of suicide.Ideators and attempters possess a different set of targets for intervention.
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