Being able to enjoy normal day to day activities separates suicidal ideation from attempted suicide in a nationwide population-based health examination study of adults aged 18 to 28 years

Abstract

Purpose

A higher total score on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is associated with a higher likelihood of having suicidal ideation as well as having suicide attempt. The association of GHQ-12 with suicide attempts item by item has not been analyzed earlier.

Materials and Methods

In a population-based sample, aged 18 to 28 years, mental illness was assessed as self-reported during the interview. Participants were also asked to score on two specific questions concerning suicidal ideation as well as attempted suicide. The GHQ-12 total score and each of the 12 item scores of the GHQ-12 were analyzed with regression models to explain suicidality (n = 679).

Results

The total score of GHQ-12 differed by suicidality (Bonferroni-corrected p < 0.001). The item 6 (Felt that could not overcome difficulties) and the item 11 (Feeling oneself worthless) were associated with suicidal ideation (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.12–2.47, p = 0.01 and OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.04–2.39, p = 0.03, respectively) as well as with suicide attempts (OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.54–5.16, p = 0.001 and OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.64–5.85, p < 0.001, respectively). The item 7 (Able to enjoy normal day to day activities) was associated with suicide attempts (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12–0.64, p = 0.003) and made the item-specific difference between those with suicidal ideation w/o suicide attempt (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14–0.89, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Being able to enjoy normal activities day to day made a difference between suicidal ideation and attempted suicide.

Keywords:

• Disability
• distress
• psychological
• suicidality
• worthlessness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Raimo Palmu

Raimo Palmu, Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), and Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.

Seppo Koskinen

Seppo Koskinen, Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.

Timo Partonen

Timo Partonen, Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.