Alcohol use and death by suicide: A meta-analysis of 33 studies

Jason Y. Isaacs, Martin M. Smith, Simon B. Sherry, Martin Seno, Mackenzie L. Moore, Sherry H. Stewart

Résultat de recherche: Articleexamen par les pairs

49 Citations (Scopus)

Résumé

Introduction: Decades of research show an association between alcohol use and death by suicide. However, findings on the temporal link between alcohol use and death by suicide are unclear. In the most comprehensive meta-analysis on the topic to date, we analyzed data from longitudinal studies to determine if alcohol use is a risk for death by suicide. We also explored moderators to uncover conditions where the alcohol use-suicide link is strengthened/weakened. Methods: Our literature search of six databases yielded 33 eligible studies involving 10,253,101 participants (community, psychiatric, and military samples). Results: Alcohol use was associated with a 94% increase in the risk of death by suicide. Specifically, random-effects meta-analysis revealed alcohol use displayed small-to-large significant risk and odds ratios with suicide for quantity of alcohol use and alcohol use diagnosis/alcohol-related problems. Meta-regression generally indicated larger effect sizes for studies with a higher percentage of women, younger age, unadjusted estimates, longer follow-up periods, military samples, and higher frequencies and quantities of alcohol use (relative to drinker/non-drinker status). Conclusion: Our study highlights alcohol use as a substantive risk factor for death by suicide and underscores the importance of monitoring alcohol use among suicidal individuals and screening for suicidality among heavier alcohol users.

Langue d'origineEnglish
JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
DOI
Statut de publicationAccepted/In press - 2022

Note bibliographique

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The American Association of Suicidology

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Meta-Analysis

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