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Case–Control Study of the Relationship of Functioning to Suicide in a Community-Based Sample of Individuals with Schizophrenia in China

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Abstract

Suicide is a leading cause of premature death among people with schizophrenia. Some studies indicate that increased difficulties in functioning are associated with suicidality in persons with schizophrenia. We conducted a secondary analysis of 74 suicides (cases) and 24 accidental deaths (controls) among persons with schizophrenia identified in a national psychological autopsy study in China. Between cases and controls, we compared the effect of schizophrenia on work, daily activities, emotions, social relationships and self-care at the time the illness was most severe. There was no difference in the overall maximum dysfunction associated with the illness between groups. None of the 5 measures (work, activities, emotions, relationships, self-care) were different between the two groups. This study of individuals with DSM-IV schizophrenia who died by suicide in a non-western culture only partially supports findings from clinical studies in western cultures.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of the ‘Causes and Prevention of Accidental Deaths in China’ project, which was supported by grants from the Ford Foundation, the Save the Children Fund, and Befrienders International. In addition, Dr. Liu was supported by NIH R24-TW-007-988. Participating institutions include 23 Disease Surveillance Points and four psychiatric centres (Department of Neuropsychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Xian, Shaanxi Province; Jingzhou City Psychiatric Hospital, Hubei Province; Shenyang Mental Health Centre, Liaoning Province; and Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Jiangsu Province). The authors thank all the institutions, investigators and respondents for their contribution to the research. Dr. Phillips is considered also a primary author as well as a primary corresponding author. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs of the US government. Dr. Kasckow received grant support from Astra Zeneca for a study not related to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VA Pittsburgh Health Care System MIRECC, Behavioral Health Service, 7180 Highland Dr., Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, USA

    John Kasckow

  2. Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, 7180 Highland Dr., Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, USA

    John Kasckow

  3. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    John Kasckow

  4. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Box 0852, 7M, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA

    Nancy Liu

  5. WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Beijing, Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China

    Michael R. Phillips

  6. Shanghai Research and Prevention Center, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 3210 Humin Road, Shanghai, 201108, China

    Michael R. Phillips

  7. Departments of Psychiatry and Global Health, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Michael R. Phillips

Authors
  1. John Kasckow
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  2. Nancy Liu
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  3. Michael R. Phillips
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Kasckow.

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Kasckow, J., Liu, N. & Phillips, M.R. Case–Control Study of the Relationship of Functioning to Suicide in a Community-Based Sample of Individuals with Schizophrenia in China. Community Ment Health J 48, 317–320 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9460-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9460-3

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