Abstract
Factors associated with recent suicide attempts were examined in clients who sought treatment at an addictions facility between
2001 and 2008. Clients who reported being hospitalized for attempting suicide in the past year (n = 76) were compared to all other clients (n = 5914) on demographic, mental health, substance use, and problem gambling variables. Compared to all other clients, clients
who attempted suicide were significantly less educated, and more likely to have major depressive disorder, a bipolar disorder,
ADHD, a personality disorder, or a gambling problem. While mental health issues have long been linked with suicide, new research,
such as the present study, continues to find associations between gambling and suicide. With the strong relationship between
mood disorders and gambling, these findings support continued research into the possible connection between gambling and suicide.
2001 and 2008. Clients who reported being hospitalized for attempting suicide in the past year (n = 76) were compared to all other clients (n = 5914) on demographic, mental health, substance use, and problem gambling variables. Compared to all other clients, clients
who attempted suicide were significantly less educated, and more likely to have major depressive disorder, a bipolar disorder,
ADHD, a personality disorder, or a gambling problem. While mental health issues have long been linked with suicide, new research,
such as the present study, continues to find associations between gambling and suicide. With the strong relationship between
mood disorders and gambling, these findings support continued research into the possible connection between gambling and suicide.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-010-9307-0
- Authors
- Alexander Penney, Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
- Dwight Mazmanian, Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
- John Jamieson, Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
- Nancy Black, Mental Health, Addictions and Problem Gambling Programs, St. Joseph’s Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 0A6, Canada
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874