Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation among the general population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal article

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major threat to the public. However, the comprehensive profile of suicidal ideation among the general population has not been systematically investigated in a large sample in the age of COVID-19.
Methods A national online cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 28, 2020 and March 11, 2020 in a representative sample of Chinese adults aged 18 years and older. Suicidal ideation was assessed using item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The prevalence of suicidal ideation and its risk factors was evaluated.
Results A total of 56,679 participants (27,149 males and 29,530 females) were included. The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation was 16.4%, including 10.9% seldom, 4.1% often, and 1.4% always suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was higher in males (19.1%) and individuals aged 18–24 years (24.7%) than in females (14.0%) and those aged 45 years and older (11.9%). Suicidal ideation was more prevalent in individuals with suspected or confirmed infection (63.0%), frontline workers (19.2%), and people with pre-existing mental disorders (41.6%). Experience of quarantine, unemployed, and increased psychological stress during the pandemic were associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation and its severity. However, paying more attention to and gaining a better understanding of COVID-19-related knowledge, especially information about psychological interventions, could reduce the risk.
Conclusions The estimated prevalence of suicidal ideation among the general population in China during COVID-19 was significant. The findings will be important for improving suicide prevention strategies during COVID-19.

Authors: Shi, L; Que, J-Y; Lu, Z-A; Gong, Y-M; Liu, L

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: European Psychiatric Association
• Journal: European Psychiatry
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 1
• Article number: e18
• Publication date: 2021-02-03
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.5
• EISSN: 1778-3585
• ISSN: 0924-9338
• Pmid: 33686933
• Language: English
• Keywords: suicidal ideation; quarantine; stress, psychological; cross-sectional studies; risk factors; pandemics; COVID-19; China; unemployment; SARS-CoV-2; suicide; prevalence; FFR