The association between delusional-like experiences and suicidal thoughts and behaviour

• Published in: Schizophrenia research Vol. 132; no. 2; pp. 197 - 202
• Main Authors: Saha, Sukanta, Scott, James G, Johnston, Amy K, Slade, Tim N, Varghese, Daniel, Carter, Gregory L, McGrath, John J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Australia; Biological and medical sciences; Catchment Area (Health); Delusional-like experiences; Delusions - epidemiology; Delusions - psychology; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Epidemiology; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Distribution; Suicidal behaviours; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Young Adult; Australia; Delusional-like experiences; Suicide; Suicidal behaviours; Epidemiology; Human; Delusion; Suicide ideation; Public health; Suicide attempt
• ISSN: 0920-9964; 1573-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.07.012

Abstract Background Delusional-like experiences (DLEs) are common in the general population. Whilst it is well known that psychotic disorders increase the risk of suicide, it is unclear if DLEs are also associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviour. This study aims to explore these variables in a large population-based sample. Method Participants were drawn from a national survey of mental health (n = 8841) in Australia. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to identify DLEs, psychiatric disorders, and information related to suicidal ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempts. We examined the relationship between DLEs and suicidal ideation, plans and attempts using logistic regression, adjusted for a range of potentially confounding variables. Results 8.4% of subjects endorsed one or more DLEs. 12.9% subjects reported suicidal ideation, 3.8% suicidal plans, and 3.0% a suicide attempt at some point in their lives. Those with any DLE were about two to four times as likely to report suicidal ideation, plans or attempts. There was a dose response relationship between DLEs and endorsement of suicide-related items. Conclusions DLEs are common in the general population and appear to be independently associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviour. DLE may provide a marker of vulnerability to suicide, and thus could be of value in future suicide prevention research.