Comportements suicidaires chez les hommes en demande d'aide : roles des traumatismes en enfance, de l'attachement et des impacts percus de la pandemie

In Canada, attempts at suicide and suicidal ideation are particularly common in men. According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, the factors related to suicidal ideation and attempts at taking one's life are distinct. The purpose of the present study is to identify the variables associated with suicidal ideation, recent attempts at suicide (within the last two months), and the reported number of suicide attempts throughout the lives of men who sought help. A total of 2,398 participants were recruited from support centers for men and answered questions to evaluate the three indicators of suicidal behavior (ideation, recent attempts, repeated attempts) and several other personal, interpersonal, and contextual variables. The hierarchal logistic regression analysis results showed that a psychological diagnosis and attachment anxiety are linked to an increased risk of suicidal behavior in all three indicators. Going through a breakup, being in court for conjugal violence issues, drug use, bullying, and the perceived positive and negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are linked to suicidal ideation. Being single, having witnessed physical violence as a child, and the perceived negative impacts of the pandemic are linked to recent suicide attempts. Finally, personal income, being in court for a reason other than conjugal violence, level of education, instances of childhood trauma (sexual abuse, psychological neglect, bullying), and attachment avoidance are all factors linked to repeated attempts at suicide. Different ways to reflect on the risk factors and protections related to suicidal thoughts and attempts are discussed.

Automated summary

Attempts at suicide and suicidal ideation are common in Canadian men. This study aimed to identify the variables associated with suicidal thoughts, recent suicide attempts, and the number of lifetime suicide attempts among men seeking help. A total of 2,398 participants from men's support centers answered questions about suicidal behavior and various personal, interpersonal, and contextual variables. The results showed that psychological diagnosis and attachment anxiety were linked to an increased risk of suicidal behavior in all three indicators. Other factors such as breakups, court involvement for conjugal violence, drug use, bullying, and the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic were also associated with suicidal ideation.