Risk Factors for Suicidal Behaviours after Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Disaster Mental Health

Background:

• Natural disasters have profound psychological impacts, with reviews indicating a heightened risk of suicidal behaviors post-disaster.
• Understanding suicide risk factors is crucial for effective intervention and support following catastrophic events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify and review suicide-related risk factors in the aftermath of natural disasters.
• To pinpoint vulnerable populations requiring targeted psychosocial interventions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of English-language articles published between 1990 and 2018.
• Searches conducted across major academic databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.
• Inclusion criteria applied to 30 selected studies, with a focus on earthquake-related disasters.

Main Results:

• Identified key risk factors: gender, age, serious mental disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss of family, low economic status, low social support, and injury.
• Vulnerable groups include women, adolescents, the elderly, individuals with depression or PTSD, those with low social support, and parentless individuals.
• Most reviewed studies focused on suicide risk following earthquakes.

Conclusions:

• A significant need exists for comprehensive psychosocial support systems for individuals affected by natural disasters.
• Targeted interventions should address identified risk factors and prioritize vulnerable populations to mitigate suicide risk.