Understanding the onset and remission of suicidal thoughts in Australian men: Findings from the Ten to Men study.

Abstract

Introduction: While Australian studies explore suicidal thoughts' prevalence and correlates, little is known about their first onset in unaffected individuals or the predictors and rates of remission in the general population.

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the rates of first-onset suicidal thought and remission of suicidal thoughts among Australian males over a 9-year period and to identify predictors of these rates.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analysed 6035 participants from the Ten to Men study over four waves spanning 9 years. Outcomes included the first onset and remission of suicidal thoughts, with predictors encompassing sociodemographic, lifestyle, substance use, mental health and social factors. Modified Poisson regression with robust errors was used to identify predictors.

Results: The rate of first-onset suicidal thoughts over the 9-year study period was 19.2% (95% confidence interval = [18.1%, 20.4%]). The remission rate for suicidal thoughts over the same period was 65.5% (95% confidence interval = [62.5%, 68.4%]). The onset of suicidal thoughts was linked to lower education, depressive symptoms, disability, financial stress, homosexual orientation and history of partner violence. Depressive symptoms and disability were also associated with reduced remission rates.

Conclusion: One-fifth of males reported a first onset of suicidal thoughts, while nearly two-thirds with a history of such thoughts experienced remission over the 9-year period. Suicide prevention interventions need to prioritize males with a disability and mental health problems, as these factors both predict the first onset of suicidal ideation and reduce the rate of remission.