Association Between Loneliness and Suicidal Behaviour: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Suicide is a significant public health concern with multiple contributing factors, including mental illness and psychosocial stressors.
• Existing research suggests a link between loneliness, both actual (living alone) and subjective (feeling alone), and various suicidal behaviors.
• A comprehensive understanding of this association is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review assessing the association between loneliness and suicidal behavior.
• To explore and synthesize existing literature on the relationship between subjective and objective loneliness and suicidal experiences.
• To identify key factors influencing the link between loneliness and suicidal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was performed following the PRISMA-ScR extension guidelines.
• A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted for English-language publications from 2011 to 2021.
• Studies reporting quantitative outcomes on the association between loneliness and suicidal ideation, plans, or attempts were included after rigorous screening and data charting by multiple reviewers.

Main Results:

• Out of 421 initially identified articles, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis.
• The association between loneliness and suicidal behavior is multifaceted, influenced by individual, social, and cultural determinants.
• Comorbid mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and economic hardship were identified as significant factors contributing to suicide completion.

Conclusions:

• Loneliness is demonstrably correlated with suicidal behavior.
• This correlation highlights the potential for using loneliness as an indicator to identify individuals at elevated risk for suicidal ideation or behavior.
• Future research should further investigate the relationship between loneliness and suicidal ideation, particularly within diverse populations experiencing various mental health conditions and personality traits.