Psychosocial correlates of risk for suicidal ideation: the COVID-19 pandemic as a magnifying glass

Abstract Objective The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal behavior are still the subject of studies. It is hypothesized that the pandemic may have contributed to the development of suicidal ideation by intensifying psychosocial risk factors. Our objective was to investigate such correlated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas) Vol. 41
Main Authors:	Haas, Letícia Müller, Silveira, Julia Toniolo Fagundes da, Rodrigues, Gabriela de Freitas, Duarte, Michael de Quadros, Trentini, Clarissa Marceli
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas 2024
Subjects:	COVID-19 Pandemics Race factors Risk factors Suicidal ideation
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Abstract Objective The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal behavior are still the subject of studies. It is hypothesized that the pandemic may have contributed to the development of suicidal ideation by intensifying psychosocial risk factors. Our objective was to investigate such correlated factors in Brazil. Method The study used an online and cross-sectional survey encompassing 448 adult participants. Sociodemographic questionnaires and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire were used, and binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 22.3%. The results indicate that people who self-identified as black and brown (OR = 2.42), who were part of the risk group for COVID-19 (OR = 2.41), and who reported more psychological symptoms (OR = 1.50) were more likely to have suicidal ideation. Conclusion Public policies to prevent suicidal behavior and promote mental health in the most vulnerable groups might be needed beyond the pandemic context, especially among the black population. Resumo Objetivos Os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 no comportamento suicida continuam sendo tema de estudos. Hipotetiza-se que a pandemia pode ter contribuído para a ideação suicida ao intensificar fatores de risco psicossociais. Nosso objetivo foi investigar tais fatores correlatos no Brasil. Método Este estudo realizou uma coleta de dados online e transversal, englobando 448 participantes adultos. Utilizaram-se questionários sociodemográficos e o Self-Reporting Questionnaire, empregando-se regressão logística binária para identificação de preditores. Resultados A prevalência de ideação suicida foi de 22,3%. Os resultados apontam que pessoas autoidentificadas como negros e pardos (OR = 2,42), que faziam parte do grupo de risco para COVID-19 (OR = 2,41), e que reportaram mais sintomas psicológicos (OR = 1,50) tiveram maior chance de apresentar ideação suicida. Conclusão Políticas públicas de prevenção do comportamento suicida e promoção de saúde mental nos grupos mais vulneráveis podem ser necessárias para além do contexto pandêmico, sobretudo entre a população negra.
ISSN:	0103-166X 1982-0275
DOI:	10.1590/1982-0275202441e230005