Research into risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviour and other self-harming behaviour among social groups of high suicide risk

Background

Suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour is often associated with hopelessness, meaninglessness and despair. Some groups are particularly vulnerable:

• Cancer patients
• Adolescents who do not live with family (e.g. placed elsewhere, foster family)
• Young inmates

Suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour among cancer patients

It is uncertain how many cancer patients suffer from suicidal ideation or how many attempt to commit suicide. Suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour is often taboo and is seldom addressed in conversations with relations and/or healthcare personnel.

In collaboration with doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel the objective is to draw up an interview guide/questionnaire which can help illuminate:

• hope, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour among cancer patients
• conditions and factors that raise / promote or restrain hope

Afterwards, a research design that may form basis for a research project will be prepared.

Adolescents who do not live with family

There is no research that focuses on whether adolescents who do not live with their families are at greater risk of being vulnerable, experience suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviour. The Centre for Suicide Research has gathered 14,000 questionnaires from adolescents in several Danish Regions from 2001 – 2011. In these questionnaires, it is possible to identify adolescents who have been placed in foster care, institutions or similar.

Data-analysis will illuminate :

• vulnerability
• serious thoughts on self-harming behaviour
• self-harming behaviour and suicide attempts
• conditions that protect and prevent thoughts on self-harm and self-harming actions

Interviews with adolescents placed outside their family may support further recommendations for research-based prevention. The objective is to contribute to the instruction of the professionals who work with the adolescents.

Inmates

The Prison and Probation Service reports that inmates belong to a group in high risk of committing suicide. During the last ten years, there has been an average of five completed suicides per year.

The State Prison in Ringe, Funen receives men and women age 14 – 23. Most men are convicted for assault or robbery, while most women are convicted for drug peddling.

With the intent of uncovering and illuminating:

• serious thoughts on self-harming behaviour
• self-harming behaviour and suicidal attempts
• conditions that protect and prevent thoughts on self-harm and self-harming actions

the study will be based on interviews with inmates. Participation is voluntarily. The objective is to create research-based knowledge and to contribute to the instruction of the professionals in the Prison and Probation Service.

Status

Ongoing. The project ends December 2012.

The project is financially supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration.

Contact

Ph.D Lillian Zoellner,

Opening hours

Mon-Thu 9.00–15.00
Friday 9.00–12.00

Address

Centre for Suicide Research - Soendergade 17 - DK-5000 Odense
Phone +45 6613 8811 - Fax +45 6590 8174 - E-mail