Methods of Suicide Among Nurses Globally: Examination of Epidemiological and Cohort Evidence.

AimExamine methods of suicide among nurses cross-nationally.MethodsThe literature was searched to identify epidemiological and cohort studies that analyzed suicide mortality among nurses cross-nationally. Studies were included if nurse suicide mortality was analyzed, and if methods of suicide among nurses were concurrently examined. In total, 22 studies were included, 16 of which were epidemiological and 6 of which were cohort.ResultsAcross all studies, nurse suicide decedents from 11 countries were represented. Across most global studies, self-poisoning and hanging were two frequently utilized methods of suicide among nurses. However, in the United States, two common suicide methods included self-poisoning and firearms. While there was likely overlap with respect to public reporting of global cases, in China and India, leading methods included jumping from a building and hanging, respectively. Taken together, despite some inconsistencies, self-poisoning was one of the most frequently reported suicide methods among nurses across studies.ConclusionAdditional research is important in building the evidence base, particularly with respect to ranking methods of suicide, and further differentiating between suicide methods used by female and male nurses cross-nationally. Additional cross-national research regarding specific substances utilized in suicide self-poisoning deaths is also needed. Because means restriction represents a key suicide prevention strategy, these data are needed to inform means restriction interventions among nurses.

Duke Scholars

Author Elizabeth Merwin School of Nursing