Understanding suicidal ideation in southeastern Iran: a cross-sectional analysis of demographic and socioeconomic...

Suicide and suicidal ideation are critical public health issues worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Iran, where cultural and socioeconomic factors complicate prevention efforts. Understanding the regional correlates of suicidal ideation is essential for informing interventions. This study assessed the extent of suicidal ideation and examined its associations with demographic and socioeconomic factors among individuals aged ≥ 15 years in southeastern Iran.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five counties under Bam University of Medical Sciences, enrolling 2,008 participants via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI). Descriptive statistics and inferential tests (chi-square, ANOVA, t-tests) examined associations between suicidal ideation and gender, age, education, marital status, employment, and residence.

Of 2,008 participants, 120 (5.9%) reported suicidal ideation. Mean BSSI scores differed significantly by marital status and employment in univariate analyses: single and divorced individuals scored higher than married participants, and students and unemployed participants scored higher than employed and homemakers. No differences were observed by gender, residence, or education. In multivariable linear regression, higher education (B = -0.270, p = 0.001) and being married (B = -1.155, p < 0.001) were associated with lower BSSI scores, whereas age, gender, residence, and employment were not significant. The model was statistically significant but explained only a small proportion of variance (R² = 0.028).

In this population-based cross-sectional survey, 5.9% of participants endorsed suicidal ideation. After adjustment, being married and higher educational attainment were associated with lower BSSI scores, whereas gender, age, residence, and employment showed no independent associations. The model's limited explanatory power (R² = 0.028) indicates that demographic variables alone have limited value for risk stratification; confidential, stigma-sensitive screening and linkage in primary care, universities, and employment-related settings may be informative for service planning. Future studies should incorporate psychological and social measures and consider multilevel or longitudinal designs to better characterize correlates; given the cross-sectional design, no causal inferences are implied.