Pandemic financial hardships and suicide risk in a nationally representative sample of young adults

Zibei Chen, Lisa Fedina, Jordan DeVylder, Catherine M. Lemieux, Cheryl King, Kristen Abbott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Using a nationally representative sample of young adults, this study examines COVID-induced financial hardship and its association with suicide risk (N = 1,087). About 40% experienced one or more financial hardship, a third reported having suicidal ideation, and 1.57% reported suicide attempt. The association between financial hardship and suicide risk was cumulative: Those reporting four or more financial hardships were 2.61 times more likely to report suicidal ideation and 24.27 times more likely to report a suicide attempt. The finding that COVID-related financial insecurity was associated with drastically elevated suicide risks highlights the need to assess financial hardship for suicide risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)422-436
Number of pages15
JournalSocial Work in Mental Health
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Financial hardship
  • cumulative effect
  • economic downturn
  • suicide risk
  • young adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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