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Suicide Thoughts and Attempts in the Norwegian General Population during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Outbreak

Author

Listed:
  • Tore Bonsaksen

    (Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2418 Elverum, Norway
    Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, 4306 Sandnes, Norway)

  • Laila Skogstad

    (Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HF, 1453 Bjørnemyr, Norway
    Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway)

  • Trond Heir

    (Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, 0484 Oslo, Norway
    Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway)

  • Øivind Ekeberg

    (Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway)

  • Inger Schou-Bredal

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway)

  • Tine K. Grimholt

    (Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, 0370 Oslo, Norway
    Department of Acute Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of suicide thoughts and attempts during the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak and examine pandemic-related factors associated with suicide thoughts in the general Norwegian population. A sample of 4527 adults living in Norway were recruited via social media. Data related to suicide thoughts and attempts, alcohol use, pandemic-related concerns, and sociodemographic variables were collected. Associations with suicide thoughts were analyzed with logistic regression analysis. In the sample, 3.6% reported suicide thoughts during the last month, while 0.2% had attempted suicide during the same period. Previous suicide attempts (OR: 11.93, p < 0.001), lower age (OR: 0.69, p < 0.001), daily alcohol use (OR: 3.31, p < 0.001), being in the risk group for COVID-19 complications (OR: 2.15, p < 0.001), and having economic concerns related to the pandemic (OR: 2.28, p < 0.001) were associated with having current suicide thoughts. In addition to known risk factors, the study suggests that aspects specific to COVID-19 may be important for suicidal behaviors during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Tore Bonsaksen & Laila Skogstad & Trond Heir & Øivind Ekeberg & Inger Schou-Bredal & Tine K. Grimholt, 2021. "Suicide Thoughts and Attempts in the Norwegian General Population during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4102-:d:535308
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tore Bonsaksen & Trond Heir & Inger Schou-Bredal & Øivind Ekeberg & Laila Skogstad & Tine K. Grimholt, 2020. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Factors during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Norway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Silke Bachmann, 2018. "Epidemiology of Suicide and the Psychiatric Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-23, July.
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