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Factors associated with the time to transition from suicidal ideation to suicide plans and attempts in the Australian general population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2021

Matthew Sunderland Open the ORCID record for Matthew Sunderland [Opens in a new window] ,
Philip J. Batterham ,
Alison L. Calear ,
Cath Chapman  and
Tim Slade
Matthew Sunderland*
Affiliation:
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Philip J. Batterham
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Alison L. Calear
Affiliation:
Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Cath Chapman
Affiliation:
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Tim Slade
Affiliation:
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Matthew Sunderland, Email: matthew.sunderland@sydney.edu.au
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Abstract

Background

Suicide plans and attempts rarely occur without prior suicidal ideation but are hard to predict. Early intervention efforts need to focus on subgroups of the population who are more likely to transition from ideation to suicidal plans and attempts. The current study utilised data from a large nationally representative sample to investigate the time taken to transition and the demographic and mental health correlates of transitioning to suicidal plans and attempts among those with suicidal ideation.

Methods

Data were from 1237 Australians aged 16–85 years who reported suicidal thoughts at some point in their life. Discrete time survival analysis was used to retrospectively examine the time in years and correlates of transitioning from suicidal ideation to suicide plans and suicide attempt.

Results

The majority of those who transitioned to suicide plans or attempts typically did so within 2 years of first experiencing suicidal ideation. Several factors were independently associated with increased speed to transition, including alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, major depressive episode, obsessive compulsive disorder, sexual minority status, and non-urban location. Older age, being male, older age of first ideation and greater family support were associated with a slower transition.

Conclusion

The current study suggests that pre-existing mental or substance use disorders, particularly drug use disorder, as well as sexual minority status, sex and greater family support play an important role in the transition from suicidal ideation to plans or attempts. These results highlight the potential importance of suicide prevention programs that aim to improve social connectedness.

Keywords

Comorbid mental and substance use disordersdiscrete time survival analysissuicidal ideationsuicide attemptssuicide plans
Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 53 , Issue 1 , January 2023 , pp. 258 - 266
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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