Citation

Wilhelm K, Handley T, Reddy P. Australas. Psychiatry 2018; 26(2): 176-180.

Affiliation

Mental Health and Implementation Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia, and; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1039856218757638

PMID

29417825

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify mental health and lifestyle factors predicting smoking among people at high risk of suicidal behaviour.

METHODS: Participants ( n = 363) completed self-report mental health and lifestyle measures at first appointment in a hospital clinic following presentation to the emergency department for deliberate self-harm or suicidal ideation.

RESULTS: The rate of daily smoking in this group, 61.4%, is more than four times the rate observed in the general population. Those with a history of previous deliberate self-harm were twice as likely to be smokers. Each one-point increase in poor health behaviours increased the odds of smoking by 22%.

CONCLUSIONS: Identifying and managing smoking and related lifestyle behaviours are important considerations in routine clinical assessments.

Language: en

Keywords

ED clinic intervention; deliberate self-harm; smoking