Abstract

Purpose: Most studies focus on what life might have been like before a completed suicide, however, do not describe quality of life in individuals after their suicide attempts. Yet, life dissatisfaction results in the risk of suicide in the long term. This paper is a report of a study of the factors that associated with quality of life among suicidal individuals in Taiwan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to recruit suicidal individuals receiving care from one suicide prevention centre in northern Taiwan between April 2008 and March 2009. Data were collected on depression and quality of life using the Beck Depression Inventory Taiwan version and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-BREF Taiwan version. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlations, and Generalized Linear Models.

Results: One hundred and three suicidal individuals completed the study. The majority of them (47%) had severe depression, and all mean scores in four domains of the quality-of-life measure were significantly lower than those of general population in Taiwan. The associations between scores on the depression and life quality scales were statistically significantly inversely correlated. In addition, severity of depression, reattempting suicide during follow-up care, educational level and age were four most influencing variables to the quality of life.

Conclusion: Suicidal individuals experienced a worse QOL than patients with major depression. Both the severity of depression and poor life quality are more likely to make further attempts. Therefore, mental health professionals have to integrate these findings in follow-up suicidal care.

Author Details

Wen-Chii Tzeng, PhD and Shu-MayWang, MS

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Depression, Quality of Life, Attempted Suicide

Conference Name

23rd International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Brisbane, Australia

Conference Year

2012

Rights Holder

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Factors associated with life quality in persons with suicide attempts: A cross-sectional study

Brisbane, Australia

Purpose: Most studies focus on what life might have been like before a completed suicide, however, do not describe quality of life in individuals after their suicide attempts. Yet, life dissatisfaction results in the risk of suicide in the long term. This paper is a report of a study of the factors that associated with quality of life among suicidal individuals in Taiwan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to recruit suicidal individuals receiving care from one suicide prevention centre in northern Taiwan between April 2008 and March 2009. Data were collected on depression and quality of life using the Beck Depression Inventory Taiwan version and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-BREF Taiwan version. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlations, and Generalized Linear Models.

Results: One hundred and three suicidal individuals completed the study. The majority of them (47%) had severe depression, and all mean scores in four domains of the quality-of-life measure were significantly lower than those of general population in Taiwan. The associations between scores on the depression and life quality scales were statistically significantly inversely correlated. In addition, severity of depression, reattempting suicide during follow-up care, educational level and age were four most influencing variables to the quality of life.

Conclusion: Suicidal individuals experienced a worse QOL than patients with major depression. Both the severity of depression and poor life quality are more likely to make further attempts. Therefore, mental health professionals have to integrate these findings in follow-up suicidal care.