Prevalence, Correlates, and Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Turkey

Objective: An appreciation of the prevalence, correlates, and risk factors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Turkey may provide valuable knowledge for understanding the intersocietal variation of suicidal phenomena. In this report, we systematically reviewed the prevalence, correlates, and risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Turkey.

Methods: Relevant publications were identified by a literature search using Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Results: Seventy-two studies were included. This review found evidence that variables such as poor problem-solving skills, coping strategies, hopelessness, childhood trauma, adverse life experiences, loneliness, lack of social support, family-related factors, anger, low self-esteem, attachment, substance use, and depression were associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. Despite this, reviewed studies showed incongruity in whether variables such as alexithymia, sleep quality, and obsessive symptoms were related to suicidal ideation and attempts. In addition, variables such as education, female gender, and reasons for living were only found to be associated with suicidal ideation.

Conclusion: All the studies included in this review were from Turkey; therefore, the generalizability of the findings to other cultures or geographical contexts might be limited. This review did not include gray literature and studies on suicide death. The risk and correlated factors identified in this review can be included in comprehensive suicide screening and assessment administered by clinicians in Turkey.

Cite this article as: Karkın AN, Eskin M. Prevalence, correlates, and risk factors of suicidal ideation and attempts in Turkey. Neuropsychiatr Invest. 2023;61(1):19-36.