Suicidality in family caregivers of people with long-term illnesses and disabilities: a scoping review

O’Dwyer, Siobhan, Janssens, Astrid, Sansom, Anna, Biddle, Lucy, Mars, Becky, Slater, Thomas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3840-2454, Moran, Paul, Stallard, Paul, Melluish, Julia, Reakes, Lisa, Walker, Anna, Andrewartha, Charmaine and Hastings, Richard 2021. Suicidality in family caregivers of people with long-term illnesses and disabilities: a scoping review. Comprehensive Psychiatry , 152261. 10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152261

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Abstract

An emerging body of international research suggests family caregivers may be a high-risk group for suicide, but the evidence has not been synthesised. Forty-eight peer-reviewed journal articles were included in this review, spanning low-, middle-, and high-income countries and a variety of illnesses and disabilities. The proportion of caregivers experiencing suicidal ideation ranged from 2.7% to 71%, with evidence of suicide attempts, deaths by suicide, and deaths by homicide-suicide also reported. Risk and protective factors varied across studies and there was little consideration of differences by caregiving relationship, type of illness/disability, or country. There is sufficient evidence to warrant concern for caregivers around the world and prompt action in policy and practice, but more rigorous research is required to draw clear, nuanced conclusions about risk and inform evidence-based prevention and intervention.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	WB Saunders
ISSN:	0010-440X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 July 2021
Date of Acceptance:	21 June 2021
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 16:39
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/142220

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