Sex differences in social risk factors for suicidal behaviour

Objective To explore the sex differences in social risk factors for attempted suicide using a case-control design. Methods Individuals who attempted suicide (n = 146) were compared to psychiatric and community controls (n = 197). Information about social factors was collected upon recruitment. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between social factors and attempted suicide. Results Differences were found between men and women in social risk factors associated with suicide attempts. Completion of post-secondary education (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14–0.64, p = 0.002) and religious practice (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.19–0.92, p = 0.031) were significant protective factors in women. Unemployment (OR 4.31, 95% CI 1.44 – 13.72, p = 0.01) and stressful life events (OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.58 – 16.61, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with increased risk of suicide attempts in men. Subgroup analyses revealed that these factors were only significant in comparisons with non-psychiatric controls. Conclusion Our findings could aid clinicians in assessing suicide risk and identifying vulnerable individuals by tailoring the assessment of risk factors for men and women.