Factors That Lead to a Person’s Likelihood to Commit Suicide, Essay Example

There are several factors that contribute to a person’s likelihood to commit suicide. Those  include biological, psychosocial and social factors, and each of these provide great insight into the prevalence, reasons and prevention of suicide. According to various studies, those in the United States who are at most risk of committing suicide shows signs of depression and substance abuse problems, with 90% of those who die as a result of suicide having some type of mental health disorder (Kent, 2010). Among the demographics of who are most at risk are the elderly, especially elderly men. However, adolescents are increasingly at risk of committing suicide, with suicide being the 5^th leading cause of death in adolescents (Kent, 2010). The prevalence of suicide in the US is staggeringly high, with more than 40,000 people taking their lives each year (CDC Suicide Facts, 2015). Also noted are the many others that attempt suicide per year, which has been estimated as high as in the millions (CDC Suicide Facts, 2015). Data indicates that suicide was the 10^th leading cause of death for all ages in the US in 2013, which has actually risen since the years before (CDC Suicide Facts, 2015). Understanding the prevalence of suicide, as well as who is most affected and most at risk, can help with its prevention and also with diagnosis of mental health disorders.

The biological reasons that factor into a person’s likelihood to commit suicide can come from a person’s genetic makeup (Dwivedi et al., 2012) There have been several studies conducted that have concluded that genetics can influence aspects of a person’s temperament, personality traits, aggression, impulsivity, and other aspects of the biology of mental disorder (Dwivedi et al., 2012). Studies conducted on genetic risk factors related to suicide found that suicide can “run” in families. These studies were conducted on adopted children of families who had a history of suicide, as well as on twins. Both studies found that the children of families with suicide history were more likely to commit suicide, and twins with one member who committed suicide were highly likely to commit suicide, as well (Dwivedi et al., 2012). What is most significant from these studies is not the factors of a specif gene that causes a person to commit suicide, but the factors that result in developing mental health illnesses as well as the body’s inability to properly function in its stress response system. Therefore, leading to mood and anger disorders, impulsive behavior, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Also of importance is that suicidal people “seem to have lower levels of norepinephrine (also called epinephrine or adrenaline) in the part of the brain called the locus ceruleus” (Reiss & Dombeck, 2007). This means that the person who has lower levels of norepinephrine are likely to respond to stress and danger unfavorably which can lead to risk factors of suicide (Reiss & Dombeck, 2007).  This leads to the likelihood of dysregulation of the physiological stress system of a person who commits suicide or has attempted suicide (Reiss & Dombeck, 2007).

Along with biological factors, there are several psychosocial factors leading to a person’s likelihood to commit suicide. Psychosocial factors are prevalent among the risks associated with suicide. Most notably are physical illness, family history, recent losses or major life events, psychiatric health issues, social isolation, alcohol dependency, and among others (Cheng et al., 2000, pp. 360-365). What is important to understand, however, with psychosocial factors, is that the social factors are what cause triggers to an underlying psychological factor (Cheng et al., 2000, pp. 360-365). For example, a person diagnosed with major depressive disorder would be more likely to have suicide thoughts or risk of suicide when faced with significant life losses, such as death of a loved one, divorce, or loss of employment (Cheng et al., 2000, pp. 360-365). The major life loss is the trauma that increases the risk of suicide. Another psychosocial factor that is prominent in suicide risk is substance abuse, which again, is most often brought about by a result of mental health factors such as depression and anxiety (Cheng at al., 2000, pp. 360-365). Substance abuse has been linked to early childhood household dysfunction, such as growing up in abusive homes, therefore increasing stress factors and leading to behavioral and cognitive disorders as an adult. This is also important when examining the prevalence of suicide among adolescents, as those who are in stressful home situations are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders and mental health issues thus increasing suicide risk in their adolescence (Goldsmith et al., 2002). Pyschosocial factors have high potential for intervention when a person is properly diagnosed and treated, both medically and cognitively.

Social factors also lead to the risks associated with a person’s likelihood to commit suicide. Social factors that are most likely to contribute to suicide risk include age, gender, religious and other cultural affiliations, social isolation, familial and personal relationships, ethnicity and race, social class and income disparity and education (Goldsmith et al., 2002). What this means is that certain social factors can lead to mental health issues and feelings of despair. This happens most often with the elderly, as they find themselves in poor health and isolated from friends and family (Goldsmith et al., 2002).  Also, middle-aged men are likely to fin themselves in high-stress jobs that increase anxiety, depression and substance abuse (Kent, 2010). Essentially, the more stressful the life situation, the more at risk the person (Kent, 2010). Studies have also indicated that ethnicity and race can increase the likelihood of suicide risk. The CDC indicated that suicide is the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (2015). The social implications in this number is evident, as Native Americans and Alaska Natives have long suffered injustices, displacement, and marginalization since the Americas were colonized.

As a means to combat and reduce the risks associated with the likelihood of committing suicide, it is of great important to counter early-life and childhood developmental stresses. Children’s brain development is crucial in their later mental health. Children who grow up in at risk homes that include physical and emotional abuse are more likely to develop mental disorder than can lead to the risks of suicide (Charles et al., 2015, p. 192) Also of great importance is managing stress and anxiety in a manner that does not include self medication, such as the over-consumption of alcohol or the use of illegal drugs. Stress in the U.S. is high, and many people turn to substance abuse as a coping method. The social factors that increase suicide risk are just as complex as the biological and psychological factors. In order to limit social concerns in the U.S., it is necessary to identify, address, examine and put systems and programs in place that will positively impact communities and individuals. The correlations between suicide, mental disorder and substance abuse is undeniable, and it is essential to address these issues from all sides as a matter or prevention and intervention.

References

CDC Suicide Facts. (2015). Retrieved November 14, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide-datasheet-a.pdf

Charles, N. E., Ryan, S. R., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., Liang, Y., & Dougherty, D. M. (2015).

Childhood stress exposure among preadolescents with and without family histories of substance use disorders. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29(1), 192.

Cheng, A. T., Chen, T. H., Chen, C. C., & Jenkins, R. (2000). Psychosocial and psychiatric risk factors for suicide Case—control psychological autopsy study. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 177(4), 360-365.

Dwivedi, Y., Zai, C. C., de Luca, V., Strauss, J., Tong, R. P., Sakinofsky, I., & Kennedy, J. L. (2012). Genetic Factors and Suicidal Behavior.

Goldsmith, S. K., Pellmar, T. C., Kleinman, A. M., & Bunney, W. E. (2002). Reducing suicide: A national imperative. National Academies Press.

Kent, M. (2010, November). In U.S., Who Is at Greatest Risk for Suicides? Retrieved November 14, 2015, from http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2010/suicides.aspx

Reiss, N., & Dombeck, M. (2007, October 24). Becoming Suicidal: Biological Contributions. Retrieved November 14, 2015, from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/becoming-suicidal-biological-contributions/