Prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviours among patients with depression and anxiety disorders in a multi-ethnic Asian setting - Summary - MDSpire

The Frequency and Associated Factors of Suicidal Behaviors in Individuals with Depression and Anxiety Disorders in a Diverse Asian Population

  • By

  • Anitha Jeyagurunathan

  • Edimansyah Abdin

  • S. Archana

  • Yeow Wee Brian Tan

  • Rajeswari Sambasivam

  • Shazana Shahwan

  • Jianlin Liu

  • Jayaraman Hariram

  • Nisha Chandwani

  • Steve Yin Lam Lee

  • Say How Ong

  • Poh Zhi Qian Brian

  • Yee Ming Mok

  • Mythily Subramaniam

  • July 20, 2026

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Objective:

To estimate the prevalence rate of suicidal behavior among youths diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders, evaluate the psychometric properties of the SBQ-R, and identify associated social, demographic, and clinical factors.

Approach:
  • Participants: 379 participants seeking treatment for depression and anxiety disorders were recruited.
  • Measurement Tool: The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R) was used to identify the risk of suicidal behavior.
  • Data Collection: Data on socio-demographic variables, clinical variables, smoking status, and alcohol status were collected.
  • Statistical Analysis: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to establish the factor structure of the SBQ-R, and multiple logistic regression was used for analyses.
Key Findings:
  • Indian ethnicity was associated with a lower likelihood of suicidal behavior compared to participants of Chinese ethnicity.
Interpretation:

The SBQ-R demonstrates adequate psychometric properties for use among outpatients with depression and anxiety disorders in Singapore, highlighting a high prevalence of suicidal behavior in this population.

Limitations:
  • The study's sample was limited to a tertiary hospital setting, which may not represent the broader population.
  • Self-reported measures may be subject to bias.
Conclusion:

The high prevalence of suicidal behavior among patients with depression and anxiety indicates a significant concern within this demographic.

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