Protective Factors in the Inuit Population of Nunavut

A Comparative Study of People Who Died by Suicide, People Who Attempted Suicide, and People Who Never Attempted Suicide

Bibliographic Data

ID15499405
AuthorsVéronique Beaudoin (Université du Québec en Outaouais), Monique Séguin (0000-0001-5995-4587, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, corresponding author), Nadia Chawky (0000-0002-1661-7705, Douglas Mental Health University Institute), William Affleck (0000-0003-1198-8459, Université du Québec en Outaouais), Eduardo Chachamovich (0000-0002-1481-9573, McGill University), Gustavo Turecki (0000-0003-4075-2736, McGill University)
Year2018
Volume15
Issue1
Pages144-144
Publication date2018-01-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph15010144
PMID29337928
OpenAlexW2785890885
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited40

Epidemiological data shows an alarming prevalence of suicide in Aboriginal populations around the world. In Canada, the highest rates are found in Inuit communities. In this article, we present the findings of a secondary analysis conducted with data previously collected as part of a larger study of psychological autopsies conducted in Nunavut, Canada. The objective of this secondary analysis was to identify protective factors in the Inuit population of Nunavut by comparing people who died by suicide, people from the general population who attempted suicide, and people from the general population who never attempted suicide. This case-control study included 90 participants, with 30 participants in each group who were paired by birth date, sex, and community. Content analysis was first conducted on the clinical vignettes from the initial study in order to codify the presence of protective variables. Then, inferential analyses were conducted to highlight differences between each group in regards to protection. Findings demonstrated that (a) people with no suicide attempt have more protective variables throughout their lifespan than people who died by suicide and those with suicide attempts within the environmental, social, and individual dimensions; (b) people with suicide attempts significantly differ from the two other groups in regards to the use of services; and (c) protective factors that stem from the environmental dimension show the greatest difference between the three groups, being significantly more present in the group with no suicide attempt. Considering these findings, interventions could focus on enhancing environmental stability in Inuit communities as a suicide prevention strategy

Environmental health · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Sociology · Suicide attempt · Suicide methods · Suicide prevention · Suicide rates · Demography · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies · Epidemiology · Gerontology