Psychiatric disorder, traumatic experience and social deprivation in distinct subtypes of suicide attempt: a cross-national study using latent class analysis.

backgroundSuicide attempts are critical predictors of suicide. Developing typologies of suicide attempt may indicate new prevention strategies, which have not been investigated by comparing developed and developing countries. Therefore, we aimed to explore the subtypes of suicide attempt and to compare the characteristics of these subtypes between developed and developing countries.

methodsThis study included 2046 British and 4238 Chinese men aged 18 - 34 years old in households. Hierarchical multinomial regression models were performed to investigate associated factors of suicide attempt. Latent class analysis was employed to identify subtypes of suicide attempt.

resultsWe found that anxiety and psychosis were independently associated with suicide attempts among British and Chinese young men, while depression was independently associated with suicide attempts only among British young men. Three latent classes of suicide attempt were identified: depressed/anxious subtype was robust across the Eastern and Western cultural contexts; no psychiatric morbidity subtype featured by weakened social bonds was significant more prevalent among Chinese young men attempted suicide, whereas impulsive, trauma, psychopathology subtype was significant more prevalent among British men attempted suicide.

conclusionsThese differences of attempted suicide appeared to result from the distinct social factors in China and the UK. Weakened social bonds could be a new intervention target for Chinese young men attempted suicide, whereas chaotic lifestyles for that of British young men attempted suicide.