Demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude toward suicide of high risk suicide group

SUMMARY Demographic Characteristics Knowledge and Attitude Toward Suicide of High Risk Suicide group Over ten years suicide rate in Lithuania is among highest in the World. That concerns researches in this area to get a better understanding for that dilemma. Previous researches showed that high suicide rates could be connected with agreeable attitude toward suicide in the country. Analysis of suicidal tendencies could help to understand suicidal process and suicidal behaviour of target group. Besides, analysis of high-risk suicide group could be a possibility to get a better understanding of risk factors and attitude toward suicide of suicidal participants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate prevalence of suicidal tendencies among Lithuanian participants, demographic characteristics of high suicide risk group, and to evaluate if attitudes differ between different suicide risk groups and gender. METHOD Ten different objective groups (N=536) were analysed. Participants were surveyed anonymously with ATTS (“Attitude Toward Suicide”) questionnaire. RESULTS Suicidal tendencies of Lithuanian participants were higher than other European country’s (Latvia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden). In the study period of one year, half participants (52%) reported “life weariness”, 47,3% had “death wishes”, 37,8% reported “suicidal ideation”, every fifth participant (19,8%) contemplated “suicidal plan” and, 0,8% reported “suicide attempt”. Logistic regression analysis with high level of suicidality versus non-suicidal behavior and low level of suicidality as dependent variables for gender, age, education, household composition and different target groups approved a significant gender and target groups differences. While age, education and household composition were not significant, female gender was two times in greater risk for high suicide risk. Medical personnel, journalists and religion students were significantly in lower suicide risk. Attitude toward suicide were more agreeable for high level of suicidality versus non-suicidal behavior. Preparedness to help and optimistic view toward suicide prevention showed no difference between these groups. Analysis showed no significant difference between genders of high level of suicidality. Despite that, some tendencies were that men had less informative and inaccurate knowledge about suicide. Women were more agreeable toward suicide, believed that suicide is more relation caused. In addition, women believed in prevention and were ready to help to suicidal person much more than men. CONCLUSIONS Suicidal tendencies of Lithuanian participants were higher than in other countries (Latvia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden). Attitude toward suicide were more agreeable for high level of suicidality versus non-suicidal behavior. Gender differences of high suicide risk group were not found, but tendencies