Suicide in Iranian children: a systematic review of methods and risk factors associated with suicide in Iranian children

ABSTRACT

Introduction and objectives: Suicide is one of the biggest global health concerns. In Iran, the increasing tendency for suicide among children and adolescents necessitates a comprehensive examination and understanding of the associated causes. The present systematic review aims to address this gap by investigating the factors and prevalence of suicide, suicide attempt and ideation among Iranian children and pre-adolescents. Method: The review was performed following the guidelines established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Journal articles are incorporated that report causes and risk factors for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicides among children and adolescents aged 5–15 years over the past 30 years in Iran. Results: After employing a double-blind selection process, seven articles were chosen for the final review. The findings showed that the primary causes for suicide of children in Iran include family conflicts, mental disorders, and financial difficulties. In terms of methods used, drug poisoning is the most prevalent, followed by self-hanging and self-immolation among children aged 5–15 years. Most studies indicate that there has been a prior history of suicide attempts among the individuals analyzed. Conclusion: The systematic review of child suicide in Iran highlights drug poisoning as the chief method used, while hanging and self-immolation result in higher fatalities. Family disputes stand out as the main risk factor, and a previous history of suicide attempts signals future risks. The study emphasizes the need for preventive measures and tailored support, particularly concerning the accessibility of poisons and calls for a nuanced understanding of the specific factors influencing child suicides.

Acknowledgments

We extend our deepest gratitude to Heike Fischer, whose invaluable assistance and meticulous proofreading were instrumental in refining the linguistic quality of this article. Additionally, we are immensely thankful to Isabela Troya, PhD, for her critical input and methodological guidance during the initial process of this article. Their contributions have been pivotal to our work, and we are deeply appreciative of their efforts and support.

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

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.