Unemployment and suicide mortality, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation: A meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives Unemployment and job loss are among the problems that have serious psychological consequences. This meta-analysis sought to investigate the impact of unemployment on suicidality and put it to comprehensive study and meta-analysis. Method Mesh keywords were first extracted and these were formulated to search in PubMed and Scopus. Searches were limited to English, and the search lasted until April 2020. The pooled odds ratio on the relationship between unemployment and suicidality was calculated. Several additional analyzes were performed, including gender-based analysis and analysis based on suicide mortality, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation. All analyses were based on the random effects, and publication bias and heterogeneity analysis was performed. Result Unemployment is associated with an increase odd of suicidality. This odd ratio (OR) is 1.85 and is located in a confidence interval (CI) 1.55–2.20 (p < .001). Unemployment is associated with an increase odd of suicide mortality, and OR is 1.87 and CI 1.40–2.50 (p < .001). Also, unemployment is associated with suicide attempts (OR = 1.54; CI 1.26–1.89; p < .001) and suicide ideation (OR = 1.94; CI 1.61–2.34; p < .001). Unemployment in men is associated with increased odds of suicidality, and OR is 1.97 and CI 1.44–2.70 (p < .001). Also, unemployment in women is associated with suicidality (OR = 1.87; CI 1.48–2.37; p < .001). Discussion Overall, the findings of this study could be a clinical and health guide for professionals, as it provides a framework that examines one of the most important economic factors for suicidality.