Suicide Among Miners in Queensland, Australia

A Comparative Analysis of Demographics, Psychiatric History, and Stressful Life Events

Bibliographic Data

ID16912480
AuthorsSamara McPhedran (0000-0002-2077-771X, Griffith University), Diego De Leo (0000-0001-8255-6480, Griffith University)
Year2013
Volume3
Issue4
Publication date2013-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/2158244013511262
OpenAlexW2124821518
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited42

A body of international and Australian research demonstrates connections between certain types of occupations and elevated suicide rates, relative to suicide rates observed in other occupations or within the general population. In Australia, it has been suggested that miners face a heightened risk of suicide relative to the population overall, but there is very little empirical data available to support this proposal. The current study provides unique data about male miners who died by suicide. Miners were compared against men in other occupations. Demographics, psychiatric history, and life events were examined. Miners were significantly more likely than men in other occupations to have experienced relationship problems prior to their death. Relationship problems may be an important predictor of suicide among miners. This could in turn provide helpful information for identifying miners who are at risk of suicide, as well as point the way to possible industry-specific intervention strategies in Australia and elsewhere

Demographics · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Population · Psychiatry · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Demography · Employment and Welfare Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies · Gerontology

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