Negative life events as triggers on suicide attempt in rural China: a case-crossover study

This study aims to investigate the potential triggering of negative life events (NLEs) on suicide attempt in rural China. A case-crossover design was used to study 1200 suicide attempters aged 15-70 years. NLEs were assessed by a modification of Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events. NLEs had significant triggering effects on the day of and month of suicide attempt. Marriage/love, family/home, and friend/relationship were the types of NLEs found to trigger suicide attempt when occurring on the day and month of suicide attempt. Specifically, increased risk of suicide attempt was associated with quarreling with a partner or family member on the day and month of suicide attempt. Being disappointed in a love affair, fighting with a partner, family poverty and loss of face during the month of attempts were linked to increase odds of suicide attempt. Further, when month of suicide attempt was assigned as the case period, the impact of NLEs on suicide attempt was greater among those who were younger and without mental disorders. These findings provide knowledge of the triggering of NLEs on suicide attempt, especially among the young and those without mental disorders. Further, family conflicts should be a greater focus of attention in suicide prevention.