Abstract
Suicide is a prevalent and complex issue that cannot be viewed from a simplistic perspective. As a result, it is detrimental to consider factors that have been linked to the phenomenon in order for potential prevention measures to be highlighted and implemented in practice. Relevant sources mention that one’s low socioeconomic status generates vulnerabilities. It is proposed that research be conducted to determine whether the link is present. This will allow for recommendations to be implemented concerning poverty reduction as a measure against suicide.
Introduction
Socioeconomic factors have been linked to increased suicide in relevant literature. Hence, the proposal is to conduct a study determining whether low socioeconomic status does affect the rate of suicide. The hypothesis is that individuals experiencing poverty and a lack of financial resources are more likely to have suicidal behaviors. The significance of the selected topic correlates with the severity of the problem and its negative impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole.
The subject is interesting as it considers the complexity of suicide as a phenomenon. Instead of approaching it from the perspective of damaging events that generate psychological crises leading to suicide, approaching the factor from a socioeconomic standpoint allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how to mitigate it. Existing research has found similar links. For example, low income and unemployment correlate with increased suicide risks (Näher et al., 2020).
Additionally, financial difficulties facilitate suicidal behavior in individuals experiencing them (Raschke et al., 2022). Low socioeconomic status has also been linked to depression and, as a secondary result, suicide (Madigan & Daly, 2023). The contrasting aspect has also been examined, and researchers concluded that higher income reduces such risks (Sueki, 2019). By examining the topic further, the study can add to the pool of knowledge on the topic.
The research question is, “Is a low socioeconomic status a factor that impacts the rate of suicide worldwide?”. The research design is intended to be a qualitative study based on secondary research. The examination of the subject will likely contribute to the understanding that poverty, job insecurity, low-paying work, and unemployment are factors that exacerbate the problem. Hence, recommendations will be formulated on government policies that can potentially reduce the number of suicides.
Literature Review
Literature, indeed, supports the hypothesis that one’s socioeconomic status can either hinder or maximize suicide risks both directly and indirectly. For example, Chen et al. (2023) have observed that “higher housing rental index values were associated with increased suicide rates in young and middle-aged adults.” Fazel and Runeson (2020), on the other hand, provide a more extensive overview of the topic. It is stated that “suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in North America and the foremost cause of death worldwide among persons 15 to 24 years of age” (Fazel & Runeson, 2020, p. 266). The causes associated with the phenomenon are reported to be genetic predispositions, family history, psychological problems, as well as economic barriers.
An additional study illustrates that having a higher socioeconomic status is a preventative measure. Namely, it is highlighted that “most reported risk factors were on an individual level and were related to socioeconomic status, mental health, alcohol and substance use, and life stress.” (Seidler et al., 2023). In addition, Smith (2020) directly links poverty and death by suicide by mentioning that “children between the ages of 5 and 19 were 37% more likely to die by suicide if they were from communities where 20% or more lived below the federal poverty level.”.
Ward et al. (2023) concluded that people experiencing economic hardship and unemployment are in the risk group as disparities persist when it comes to deaths among different groups classified based on their financial potential. Namely, “for men aged 40 to 50 years, the highest rates of suicide were in disabled people, those who have never worked or are in long-term unemployment, or are single (never been married or in a civil partnership)” (Ward et al., 2023). The literature provides arguments concerning the aforementioned link and supports the aim of the current paper to exemplify differences in suicide rates among socioeconomic classes.
Methodologies
The methodologies that cannot be applied based on the aims of the current research include experiments and historical comparative research. Regarding experiments, the approach would not be applicable both practically and ethically when it comes to studying suicide rates. The historical connotation is similarly inapplicable as the objective is to observe current trends instead of changing dynamics. It is proposed that a survey be applied to conduct research based on primary data and existing resources are examined to obtain secondary data. The topic aimed to be researchers is the suicide rate in relation to socioeconomic status.
Due to the fact that the goal is to determine a correlation on a global scale, the target population includes individuals with low socioeconomic status in various countries. However, to highlight a potential interdependence, individuals within multiple groups will be examined to interpret the data accordingly. Their education levels, income, and employment statuses are among the variables that will be applied to determine their socioeconomic status. Suicide rates will be examined through the determination of the number of death by suicide as well as suicidal behavior and thoughts.
The sampling method that is the most optimal based on current circumstances is non-random convenience sampling. It is an efficient way to examine existing secondary data due to the fact that suicide is a sensitive topic, a global reach is difficult to achieve, and acquiring information can be a complex task when the subjects pass away. For primary insight, a survey can be applied. The sampling elements are the research pieces and databases that will be examined to exemplify the topic of the current paper.
Future Research Proposal
The independent variable is the socioeconomic status, and the dependent one is the suicide rate. It is hypothesized that there is a statistical increase in suicide rate correlating among people with a low socioeconomic status. A cross-national analysis will be performed, with one’s socioeconomic status being one of the ordinal variables. It will be categorized as low, middle, and high depending on the acquired data from secondary sources and the country in which the suicide rate was examined. By categorizing it into three categories, all individuals are accounted for, making the method exhaustive and exclusive. One indicator of status is education level, categorized as “No education,” “High School Degree,” “Bachelor’s,” “Masters,” and “Doctorate”).
Education can be measured based on relevant information acquired either from participants or via reports. Occupation, on the other hand, is categorized by job roles and sectors. It can be measured through interviews or relevant reports. Employment Status (categorized as not employed, part-time employment, employee, contract employment, or retired) will be similarly assessed. Research shows that non-employed individuals are more likely to commit suicide (Øien-Ødegaard et al., 2023). The variable is measured by acquiring data from participants or relevant reports.
The suicide rate will be determined according to intervals. In the selected population, the metric will be measured based on the categories (education, occupation, and employment) and their alignment with the previously mentioned socioeconomic characterizations (low, middle, and high). The ordinal variables of income, financial stress, and access to healthcare will be included via numeric and qualitative data acquired via surveys. Suicide attempts and thoughts as nominal metrics will be highlighted via inquiries from survey participants. The application has been selected due to the need to have a comprehensive overview of social status as it is a multifaceted category. It entails the resources that a person can access, including safe housing, academic opportunities, employment, and financial stability.
Limitations
The variable “socioeconomic status” is complex as it is not merely one’s income but also education, job, and housing. Hence, it can be difficult to apply in the context of the research. In addition, by employing both primary and qualitative data, the findings may be disrupted as the methodology is more complex. Last but not least, the variable “suicide rates” from a global standpoint are challenging to determine. On the one hand, individuals may be reluctant to participate in a survey covering such sensitive topics. On the other hand, a global reach is challenging to obtain despite the possibility of uploading the survey online.
However, in this case, certain answers may not be valid as they cannot be substantiated. In addition, the categorization of low, middle, and higher socioeconomic classes is different from country to country due to differences in income, wages, living conditions, and the overall economic system in the region. It is possible that potential difficulties in formulating findings can occur as a result of the geographical context of the subjects that are being assessed.
Conclusion
As suicide rates are increasing, it is critical to consider ways in which the problem can be tackled. Hence, the current research has the potential to add to the pool of knowledge concerning socioeconomic reforms needed to minimize the number of people vulnerable to the phenomenon. It was found that the literature agrees with the correlational hypothesis between poverty and death by suicide. By explaining a survey as well as a review of secondary sources, a comprehensive understanding of the topic can be achieved.
References
Chen, Y.-L., Li, D.-J., Chen, Y.-Y., & Yen, C.-F. (2023). The impact of housing-price-related indices on suicide rates in Taiwan. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. Web.
Fazel, S., & Runeson, B. (2020). Suicide. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(3), 266–274. Web.
Madigan, A., & Daly, M. (2023). Socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms and suicidality: The role of subjective social status. Journal of Affective Disorders, 326, 36–43. Web.
Näher, A.-F., Rummel-Kluge, C., & Hegerl, U. (2020). Associations of suicide rates with socioeconomic status and social isolation: Findings from longitudinal register and Census Data. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. Web.
Raschke, N., Mohsenpour, A., Aschentrup, L., Fischer, F., & Wrona, K. J. (2022). Socioeconomic factors associated with suicidal behaviors in South Korea: Systematic review on the current state of evidence. BMC Public Health, 22(1). Web.
Seidler, I. K., Hansen, N. L., Bloch, A. P., & Larsen, C. V. (2023). A systematic review on risk and protective factors for suicide and suicidal behaviour among Greenland Inuit. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1). Web.
Smith, J. (2020). Economic status may be a warning sign for youth suicide. ABC News. Web.
Sueki, H. (2019). Relationship between annual household income and Suicidal Ideation: A cross-sectional study. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 24(1), 76–82. Web.
Ward, I., Nafilyan, V., & Finning, K. (2023). Sociodemographic inequalities in suicides in England and Wales: 2011 to 2021. Office for National Statistics. Web.