Work and suicide: an empirical investigation

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychiatry
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Émile Durkheim's theory posits work as a protective factor against suicide.
• Previous research indicates a correlation between employment status and mental health outcomes.
• Understanding the role of work in suicide etiology is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically test Durkheim's theory regarding the protective nature of employment.
• To compare the work histories of individuals who died by suicide with a control group.
• To identify specific work-related factors associated with completed suicides.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study comparing 75 completed suicides with 150 controls.
• Analysis of detailed work histories, including employment duration, job changes, and reasons for leaving employment.
• Assessment of occupational risk and social class mobility.

Main Results:

• Individuals who died by suicide exhibited significantly higher rates of unemployment, illness-related absences, and job instability.
• Suicides were less likely to have a gradual retirement pattern.
• Higher risk occupations were overrepresented in the suicide group, with no significant difference in social class mobility.
• Poor work records were strongly associated with high levels of psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusions:

• The study provides evidence that poor work history is a significant correlate of completed suicide.
• Psychiatric morbidity appears to be a key factor underlying the adverse work histories observed in suicides.
• Durkheim's theory requires nuanced consideration, as work's protective effect may be mediated by mental health status.