title: The association between homelessness and suicidal ideation and behaviors: results of a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: This study was carried out with three goals: (1) to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among the homeless; (2) to determine what aspects of homelessness predict suicidality, and (3) to determine which aspects remain predictive after controlling for key covariates, such as mental illness. A sample of 330 homeless adults were interviewed. Sixty-one percent of the study sample reported suicidal ideation and 34% had attempted suicide. Fifty-six percent of the men and 78% of the women reported prior suicidal ideation, while 28 percent of the men and 57% of the women had attempted suicide. Childhood homelessness of at least 1 week without family members and periods of homelessness longer than 6 months were found to be associated with suicidal ideation. Psychiatric diagnoses were also associated with suicidality in this sample.
authors.affiliation: St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. eynanr@smh.toronto.on.ca
authors.forename: Rahel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eynan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tolomiczenko
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Links
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wasylenki
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goering
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention