Protective factors and suicidality in members of Arab kindred

Relatively little is known about the role of protective factors in an Arab population in the presence of suicidal risk factors.

To examine the role of protective factors in a subsample of in large Arab Kindred participants in the presence of suicidal risk factors.

We assessed protective and risk factors in a sample of 64 participants (16 suicidal and 48 nonsuicidal) between 15 and 55 years of age, using a comprehensive structured psychiatric interview, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), self-reported depression, anxiety, hopelessness, impulsivity, hostility, and suicidal behavior in first-degree and second-relatives. We also used the Religiosity Questionnaire and suicide attitude (SUIATT) and multidimensional perceived support scale.

Suicidal as opposed to nonsuicidal participants were more likely to have a lifetime history of major depressive disorder (MDD) (68.8% vs. 22.9% χ2=11.17, p=.001), an anxiety disorder (87.5% vs. 22.9, χ2=21.02, p<.001), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (25% vs. 0.0%, Fisher's, p=.003). Individuals who are otherwise at high risk for suicidality have a much lower risk when they experience higher perceived social support (3.31±1.36 vs. 4.96±1.40, t=4.10, df=62, p<.001), and they have the view that suicide is somehow unacceptable (1.83±.10 vs. 1.89±.07, t=2.76, df=60, p=.008).

Taken together with other studies, these data suggest that the augmentation of protective factors could play a very important role in the prevention of incidental and recurrent suicidal behavior in Arab populations, where suicidal behavior in increasing rapidly.