Debt and suicidal behaviour in the Finnish general population.
We studied the significance of debt as a risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nation-wide sample (n = 4868) of the Finnish general population. Those experiencing difficulties in repaying their debts more often than others (37 vs. 16%, P<0.001) had a probable minor mental disorder (GHQ-12 score > or =3). Nevertheless, difficulties in repaying debts were found to be a factor independently associated with suicidal ideation (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.2). The clinical implication of these findings is that individuals experiencing difficulties in repaying their debts may require psychiatric evaluation as well as socio-economic counselling.
Hintikka
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Kontula
O
O
Saarinen
P
P
Tanskanen
A
A
Koskela
K
K
Viinamäki
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016361:Bankruptcy; D003376:Counseling; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*