Alcohol and other contextual factors of suicide in four Aboriginal communities of Quebec, Canada.
BACKGROUND
Aboriginal populations worldwide face increasing rates of suicide. Despite this recurring observation, little research has emerged from Aboriginal settings.


OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the psychosocial and behavioral characteristics of 30 consecutive adult suicides from four First-Nations communities in Quebec, Canada.


METHODS
Psychological autopsies guided by the LEDS with family members of the deceased.


RESULTS
Suicide among this group is overrepresented by young single men. Alcohol intoxication at the time of death was reported for 22 cases in association with rapid acting out after the precipitating event for 20. All but two cases had a history of alcohol abuse, and drug use was also present in 23 cases. In 16 cases there had been a previous suicide attempt, 14 of which occurred during the previous year. The main socio-demographic characteristics of the communities were overcrowded living arrangements and no job status (90%). Seven cases were incarcerated or locked up at the time of death. Clustering of suicide was observed within seven nuclear families including 16 suicides.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that Aboriginal suicide is the result of a complex interweaving of individual, familial, and socio-historical variables. The impact of contemporary social stressors on individual well-being must be addressed to prevent suicide in this community.
Laliberté
Arlene
A
Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia, Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada. arlene_laliberte@health.qld.gov.au
Tousignant
Michel
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014478:Unemployment