Suicide and gender ratios in Tasmania (Australia) using the Operationalized Predicaments of Suicide tool,and negative experiences

Abstract

Objective:

To examine coroner’s reports of completed suicide in Tasmania with the intention of characterizing the influence of gender and other factors.

Method:

One hundred coroner’s reports from Tasmania 2010–2012 were examined and basic demographic details (age, gender), suicide method, medical, psychiatric, psychosocial and drug factors were collected. Data were organized using the Operationalized Predicament of Suicide tool and known risk factors, and analysed using SPSS software.

Results:

We found an overall male:female ratio of 3:1. When acute mental disorder was identified, the male:female ratio was 1:1. When a history of mental disorder is considered, the ratio becomes 1.44:1. When social/environmental factors triggered the event this changed greatly to 5.57:1.

Conclusion:

Males suicide more frequently than females; but this difference disappears when only those with mental disorder at the time of death are considered, and almost disappears when a history of mental disorder are considered. Higher suicide rates of males are driven by social/environmental stressors. These results have implications for understanding the key drivers of suicide, and developing appropriate preventative strategies.