The Relationship Between Gender Identity, Economic Stressors, Social Support, Concurrent Substance Use and Suicidal...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychiatry
• Sociology

Background:

• Suicidal ideation (SI) is a significant public health concern.
• Middle-aged adults represent a critical demographic for suicide prevention efforts.
• Understanding the multifaceted factors contributing to SI in this age group is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively identify demographic, substance use, economic, and social factors associated with suicidal ideation (SI) in middle-aged adults.
• To differentiate factors associated with single versus multiple instances of past-year SI.
• To inform the development of targeted prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional national data from 1,337 U.S. adults aged 40-60 years (2022).
• Bivariate and multivariate logistic and multinomial regression analyses were used.
• Factors associated with past-year SI, including single and multiple occurrences, were examined.

Main Results:

• 10.4% of respondents reported past-year SI, with 60% experiencing it multiple times.
• Gender minority status, concurrent substance use, and financial stressors were significantly associated with higher odds of past-year SI.
• Concurrent substance use and a lower standard of living predicted repeated SI, while higher social support was protective.

Conclusions:

• Gender minorities and individuals with concurrent substance use exhibit the highest risk for SI in middle age.
• Findings emphasize the urgent need for tailored public health and clinical interventions for high-risk middle-aged adults.
• Interventions should address substance use, financial stressors, and leverage social support for suicide prevention.