The Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation According to Occupation and Other Employment Variables

Background: The literature is scant on the associations between employment-related variables and suicidal ideation. Aims: The objectives were to explore these associations in the national French working population. Methods: The study relied on two independent national French surveys and their samples of 22,420 workers (employees and self-employed workers) and 25,628 employees, respectively. Employment variables included occupation, economic activity of the company, public/private sector, company size, permanent/temporary work, full/part time, seniority, and employee/self-employed worker. Suicidal ideation was assessed using one item. The associations between employment variables and suicidal ideation were studied using bi- and multivariable weighted analyses (Rao-Scott Chi-2 test and logistic regression). Gender differences were explored and covariates were taken into account. Results: The associations between employment variables and suicidal ideation were mostly not statistically significant. Some differences in suicidal ideation between occupations and economic activities were difficult to interpret due to overlaps in the confidence intervals. The prevalence of suicidal ideation increased with seniority among employees. Limitations: The study design was cross-sectional. Conclusion: The studied employment variables may have little effect on suicidal ideation. As suicidal ideation is a risk factor for suicide, more research is needed to explore the work-related risk factors for suicide and suicidal ideation.