Transitions of Employment Status Among Suicide Attempters During a Severe Economic Recession

This study investigated transitions in employment status among suicide attempters during the severe economic recession in Finland. The study group consisted of 2,495 persons who attempted suicide during 1989-1994 in Helsinki. Logistic regression analysis & survival analysis were used. Unemployment rates among suicide attempters were higher than in the general population, male rates being higher than female rates throughout the recession. There were significant changes in the employment status of the entire attempted suicide population, especially in terms of the transition from employment to unemployment. Among suicide attempters, young middle-aged men with low education had the highest risk of unemployment. (47 refs.)