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Suicide in police work: exploring potential contributing influences.

Violanti JM; Fekedulegn D; Charles LE; Andrew ME; Hartley TA; Mnatsakanova A; Burchfiel CM

Am J Crim Justice 2009 Jun; 34(1-2):41-53

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-008-9049-8

20035430

Police officers are considered at increased risk for suicide. The objective of this study was to explore potential influences on suicide ideation among 105 randomly selected men and women urban police officers. Depression, gender, and marital status appeared to be most strongly associated with police suicidal ideation. Depressive symptoms were higher among women than men officers (12.5 percent vs. 6.2 percent). For each standard deviation increase in depressive symptoms, the prevalence ratio (PR) of suicide ideation increased 73 percent in women (PR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.32-2.27) and 67 percent in men (PR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.21-2.30). The association between depression and ideation was stronger among unmarried women officers (PR = 4.43; 95% CI = 2.19 - 8.91) than married women officers (PR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.09 - 1.79). While depression has previously been associated with suicide, such results are unusual in a healthy working population such as the police.

Emergency-responders; Sex-factors; Psychological-disorders; Psychological-effects; Police-officers; Psychological-reactions; Psychological-responses; Demographic-characteristics; Author Keywords: Police; Suicide; Depression; Gender; Occupational stress

Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health & Health Professions, State University of NY at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA

AJCJE4

20090601

Journal Article

violanti@buffalo.edu

2009

1-2

1066-2316

HELD

Services: Public Safety

American Journal of Criminal Justice

WV