What are risk factors?
A risk factor is an element within a person's life that increases the likelihood of a suicide or suicide attempt.
Risk factors can be:
- biological
- psychological
- cognitive
- environmental
Biological risk factors: age, sex, race, and physical health. There is also evidence that suffering from a chronic physical ailment is a risk factor. Even physical conditions that seem common, like asthma, can be a risk factor for suicide (Goodwin & Eaton, 2005).
Goodwin, R. & Eaton, W. (2005). Asthma, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts: Findings from the baltimore epidemiological catchement area follow-up. American Journal of Public Health, 94 (4) 717-722.
Psychological risk factors: mental illness, especially untreated conditions. Individuals suffering depression are also more likely to commit suicide than those with other mental disorders (Troister & Holden, 2010).
Troister, T. & Holden, R. R. (2010). Comparing psychache, depression, and hopelessness in their associations with suicidality: A test of Shneidman's theory of suicide. Personality and Individual Differences, 49 (7), 689-693.
Cognitive risk factors: a person's ability to problem solve or their general thought process can affect suicidality. If an individual struggles intellectually, their risk for suicide increases.
Environmental or situational factors: unemployment, financial problems, relationship problems, the loss of a loved one, a difficult physical diagnosis or terminal illness are just a few examples of stressful life events that can cause emotional distress. A review of research from reports made in 2009 suggests that in individuals that have had previous attempts at suicide or self harm, the likelihood of another attempt is higher than those without this history (Beghi & Rosenbaum, 2010).
Beghi, M. & Rosenbaum, J. F. (2010). Risk factors for fatal and nonfatal repetition of suicide attempt: A critical appraisal. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 23, 349-355.
What are protective Factors?
Protective factors, like risk factors, can be:
- biological
- psychological
- cognitive
- environmental
Protective factors that buffer suicide attempts are relative to the individual, however, there are protective factors with which many clients with suicidal thoughts identify with. One study that compared a group of adults suffering major depression that attempted suicide with a group of adults with the same diagnosis but without a suicide attempt found that protective factors played a significant role in their reasons for living. These include, but are not limited to family support, positive friendships, and a healthy committed relationship, sense of responsibility, and moral objections to suicide (Malone et al., 2000).
Malone, K.M., Oquendo, M.A., Haas, G.L., Ellis, S.P., Li, Shuhua, & Mann, J.J. (2000). Protective factors against suicidal acts in major depression: Reasons for living. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157,7, 1084-1088.
