Suicide attempts and job insecurity: a complex association

Objective: Since Durkheim, epidemiological studies have revealed a signific ant, complex association between unemployment and suicidal behaviour. The a im of this study was to analyse the relationship between parasuicide and jo b instability, including unemployment, French social measures against unemp loyment and occasional work. Method: Demographic data, personal and familial characteristics were collec ted in 541 suicide attempters. Results: Seventy-seven per cent were socially active, with 61.5% in regular employment, and 38.5% in precarious employment. The female-to-male ratio a pproached 2 in the securely employed sample, and fell to 1 for those with p oor social and professional integration. Depression, parasuicide, and alcoh ol abuse were more common in the families of repeaters in secure employment . The impact of the familial psychiatric background was no longer significa nt in the job insecurity group. Fostering in childhood was a risk factor fo r repeat suicidal behaviour in the group with job insecurity. (C) 1998 Else vier, Paris.