Abstract

Research on the impact of economic crisis on mental health in European countries has suggested a rise in the prevalence of mental disorders and suicidality. The aim of this research was to study if suicidal ideation (SI) in depressive patients has increased during economic crisis in Spain and what factors predicted SI at each moment. Two nationwide cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Spain before and during the economic crisis (2006 vs 2010). A Case Report Form and PRIME-MD interview were used to collect sociodemographic information and mental health of 3090 patients in 2006 and 3658 in 2010. Results indicated no general rise of SI rates among depressive patients, but differences among social groups. Specifically, SI rates increased among singles, people who did not finish academic studies, and among those older than 50 years old. Logistic regressions pointed to different predictive factors of SI in 2006 vs 2010. Being men, widowed, presence of major depression, dysthymia and PHQ overall score were significant predictors of SI in both 2006 and 2010. Being separated or divorced, unemployed or having a comorbid condition with depression were also predictors of SI in 2006. Nevertheless, the effect of academic training or schooling resulted a significant protective factor for suicide ideation during economic crisis (2010).