Prevalence and correlates of inconsistent reporting of lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts in a large cohort of Australian males.
Reliable data on suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths are essential for effective suicide prevention. However, prior research indicates that up to one-third of individuals inconsistently recall past self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, raising concerns about underestimation of suicide risk. Evidence on the prevalence and correlates of inconsistent reporting of suicidal ideation and attempts in large population-based cohorts, particularly among men, remains limited.
To estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of inconsistent reporting of lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts among Australian men.
Data were drawn from Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Our primary analyses focused on 1,880 men who reported lifetime suicidal ideation and 508 who reported lifetime suicide attempt at Wave 1 and followed up at Wave 2. Inconsistent reporting was defined as endorsing lifetime suicidality at Wave 1 but not at Wave 2. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate correlates of inconsistent reporting, based on broad set of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical characteristics. Wave 3 analyses were conducted as exploratory sensitivity checks.
At Wave 2, 17.3% (95% CI: 15.6%-20.6%) of those who had reported suicidal ideation and 34.6% (95% CI: 30.5%-38.7%) of those who had reported a suicide attempt no longer reported these histories. Wave 3 analyses showed similar patterns. Depressive symptoms were associated with lower likelihood of inconsistent reporting of suicidal ideation (PR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.76, p<0.001). Other hypothesized factors were not significantly associated with inconsistent reporting.
Inconsistent reporting of suicidal ideation and attempts is common among Australian men. Findings highlight the need for improved measurement strategies in longitudinal suicide research.
To estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of inconsistent reporting of lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts among Australian men.
Data were drawn from Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health. Our primary analyses focused on 1,880 men who reported lifetime suicidal ideation and 508 who reported lifetime suicide attempt at Wave 1 and followed up at Wave 2. Inconsistent reporting was defined as endorsing lifetime suicidality at Wave 1 but not at Wave 2. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate correlates of inconsistent reporting, based on broad set of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical characteristics. Wave 3 analyses were conducted as exploratory sensitivity checks.
At Wave 2, 17.3% (95% CI: 15.6%-20.6%) of those who had reported suicidal ideation and 34.6% (95% CI: 30.5%-38.7%) of those who had reported a suicide attempt no longer reported these histories. Wave 3 analyses showed similar patterns. Depressive symptoms were associated with lower likelihood of inconsistent reporting of suicidal ideation (PR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.76, p<0.001). Other hypothesized factors were not significantly associated with inconsistent reporting.
Inconsistent reporting of suicidal ideation and attempts is common among Australian men. Findings highlight the need for improved measurement strategies in longitudinal suicide research.
Authors
Haregu Haregu, Whyte Whyte, Krishnamoorthy Krishnamoorthy, Batterham Batterham, Pitman Pitman, Armstrong Armstrong
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