Being able to enjoy normal day to day activities separates suicidal ideation from attempted suicide in a nationwide population-based health examination study of adults aged 18 to 28 years

Abstract

A higher total score on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is associated with a higher likelihood of having suicidal ideation as well as having suicide attempt. The association of GHQ-12 with suicide attempts item by item has not been analyzed earlier. In a population-based sample, aged 18 to 28 years, mental illness was assessed as self-reported during the interview. Participants were also asked to score on two specific questions concerning suicidal ideation as well as attempted suicide. The GHQ-12 total score and each of the 12 item scores of the GHQ-12 were analyzed with regression models to explain suicidality (n = 679). The total score of GHQ-12 differed by suicidality (Bonferroni-corrected p < 0.001). The item 6 (Felt that could not overcome difficulties) and the item 11 (Feeling oneself worthless) were associated with suicidal ideation (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.12–2.47, p = 0.01 and OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.04–2.39, p = 0.03, respectively) as well as with suicide attempts (OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.54–5.16, p = 0.001 and OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.64–5.85, p < 0.001, respectively). The item 7 (Able to enjoy normal day to day activities) was associated with suicide attempts (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12–0.64, p = 0.003) and made the item-specific difference between those with suicidal ideation w/o suicide attempt (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14–0.89, p = 0.03). Being able to enjoy normal activities day to day made a difference between suicidal ideation and attempted suicide.