Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
Volume 49, Issue 5, 2019, Pages 1199-1208

Nonfatal Suicidal Behaviors of Chinese Rural-to-Urban Migrant Workers: Attitude Toward Suicide Matters (Article)

Zhong B.-L. , Chan S.S.M. , Liu T.-B. , Chiu H.F.-K.*
  • a Research Center for Psychological and Health Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China, Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China, Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • b Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • c Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
  • d Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective: To examine the attitude toward suicide (ATS) and its influence on nonfatal suicidal behaviors of Chinese rural-to-urban migrant workers (MWs). Method: Altogether, 3031 MWs completed the positive ATS Scale and structured questions regarding lifetime suicide ideation, plan, and attempt. Mental health help-seeking behaviors of MWs were also investigated. Results: Overall, MWs held a more negative ATS than the Chinese general population. The lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation, plan, and attempt was 5.5%, 1.3%, and 1.1%, respectively. After controlling for lifetime depressive disorders and other covariates, a negative ATS was still significantly associated with lower risk of lifetime suicide ideation (OR = 0.32), plan (OR = 0.22), and attempt (OR = 0.26). MWs with a negative ATS were more likely to talk to others and seek help by online/telephone consultation for their mental health and suicidal problems (p <.05). A more positive ATS was significantly associated with male gender, low education level, ethnic minority of Miao, low monthly income, and originating from western China. Conclusions: The majority of MWs hold a negative ATS, which significantly contributes to their relatively low risk of nonfatal suicidal behaviors. The more help-seeking from others and online/telephone consultation in MWs with a negative ATS may lower their risk of nonfatal suicidal behaviors. © 2018 The American Association of Suicidology

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85054848999&doi=10.1111%2fsltb.12519&partnerID=40&md5=2f8d1e4f0777172c2f58d2cabb8fdbd3

DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12519
ISSN: 03630234
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English