Citation

Peters EM, John A, Bowen RC, Baetz M, Balbuena L. BJPsych Open 2018; 4(2): 62-68.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bjo.2017.12

PMID

29971148

PMCID

PMC6020311

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neuroticism has often been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviour. AIMS: To examine whether neuroticism is associated with suicide deaths after adjusting for known risks.

METHOD: UK Biobank participants (n = 389 365) were assessed for neuroticism as well as social, demographic and health-related variables at study entry and followed for up to 10 years. Suicide risk was modelled using Cox regression stratified by gender.

RESULTS: Neuroticism increased the risk of suicide in both men (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.22) and women (HR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.27). In a subsample who were assessed for mood disorders, neuroticism remained a significant predictor for women (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.51) but not for men.

CONCLUSIONS: Screening and therapeutic interventions for neuroticism may be important for early suicide prevention. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

Language: en