Living conditions of female suicide attempters: a case-control study

A total of 51 hospitalized female suicide attempters (17-64 years old) were interviewed according to a questionnaire used by Statistics Sweden, SCB (ULF 88:1) for investigation of living conditions. Control subjects from similar geographical areas included in the ULF investigation in 1988, and matched for age and nationality, were identified through the SCB (n = 153). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence limits were estimated. Correlation coefficients were used to study the relative importance of specific factors. Not less than 26 items reached the level of statistical significance, but only four of them (mental disorder, use of anxiolytics, unemployment at some time during the last 5 years, and no professional work during the past year) showed a considerable excess risk (lower 95% CI limit for OR > 3). Physical illness was relevant as an independent factor. Although of secondary importance, hospitalization during the previous 3 months was also a characteristic of suicide attempters.