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Determinants of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among former and currently homeless individuals

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Abstract

Purposes

This study identified determinants associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and no suicidal behavior in a 12-month period among 455 former or currently homeless individuals in Quebec (Canada).

Methods

Study recruitment took place in 27 organizations located in two major Quebec urban areas, where services for homelessness are offered. Independent variables including clinical, socio-demographic, and service use/outcome variables were measured with eight standardized instruments. Significant associations between these variables and suicidal ideation or attempt in bivariate analyses were produced to build a multinomial logistic regression model using a block approach.

Results

Of 455 participants, 72 (15.8%) reported suicidal ideation and 30 (6.6%) suicide attempt, while 353 (77.6%) had not experienced suicidal behavior. Suicide ideation was particularly high among those with generalized anxiety disorder and substance use disorders, and suicide attempt even higher. Participants with higher functional disability and hospitalizations had a higher incidence of suicide attempt, whereas participants with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, those placed in foster care during childhood and with higher stigma scores experienced more suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among currently or recently homeless individuals were both strongly associated with clinical variables. Based on the study results, specific interventions may be promoted to improve screening of homeless individuals with suicidal behavior and prevent hospitalization such as training programs and brief care management interventions, addiction liaison nurses, improved access to primary or specialized ambulatory services, and further development of case management and outreach programs for homeless individuals, especially those with functional disabilities.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). We gratefully acknowledge the support of this agency. We would also like to thank the the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRQ-S) for awarding a postdoctoral fellowship to the first author. We also thank the individuals who participated in the research as well as the research team, including key decision-makers and the organization staff who helped us with the recruitment. Finally, we would like to thank Judith Sabetti for editorial work.

Funding

The study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Project # 435-2016-0761.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada

    Lia Gentil, Guy Grenier & Marie-Josée Fleury

  2. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Lia Gentil & Marie-Josée Fleury

Authors
  1. Lia Gentil
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  2. Guy Grenier
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  3. Marie-Josée Fleury
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Correspondence to Marie-Josée Fleury.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest associated with this study.

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Gentil, L., Grenier, G. & Fleury, MJ. Determinants of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among former and currently homeless individuals. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 56, 747–757 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01952-3

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