Citation

Marchand K, Palis H, Fikowski J, Harrison S, Spittal P, Schechter MT, Oviedo-Joekes E. Can. J. Psychiatry 2017; 62(7): 465-472.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Publisher SAGE Publications)

DOI

10.1177/0706743717711173

PMID

28521111

PMCID

PMC5528992

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine factors associated with suicidal ideation among people with opioid dependence and to explore whether these factors are gender-specific.
METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected among long-term opioid-dependent individuals ( n = 176; 46.0% women). Lifetime histories of suicidal ideation were measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and additional data were collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, drug use, health, and adverse life events. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relationships between these variables and suicidal ideation for the full study sample and separately for women and men to explore the potential role of gender.
RESULTS: A total of 43.8% ( n = 77) of participants reported a lifetime history of suicidal ideation. Among those with suicidal ideation, 49.3% were women and the overall average age of first ideation was 19.82 years (SD, 11.66 years).

RESULTS from multivariable analyses showed that a history of depression, anxiety, and childhood emotional neglect and the number of lifetime traumatic events were significantly associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation. The gender-based analysis suggested that histories of depression and anxiety remained independently associated with lifetime suicidal ideation among women, whereas for men, childhood emotional neglect and the number of lifetime potentially traumatic events were independently associated with lifetime suicidal ideation.
CONCLUSIONS: This study offers a critical first step to understanding factors associated with suicidal ideation among long-term opioid-dependent men and women and the potential importance of gender-sensitive approaches for suicidal behavior interventions. These data inform further research and clinical opportunities aiming to better respond to the psychological health needs of this population.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Female; Male; Middle Aged; gender; Anxiety; Depression; Sex Factors; Suicidal Ideation; suicidal ideation; Opioid-Related Disorders; childhood adversity; historical trauma; opioid dependence; psychological health; Psychological Trauma; Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events