The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.

Work disability occurs when an injury or illness limits the ability of a worker to participate in employment. While evidence suggests that people with work disability are at increased risk of suicide and intentional self-harm, this relationship has not been the subject of systematic review. This sco...

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Main Authors: Alex Collie, Shannon Elise Gray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLOS Global Public Health
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0000922&type=printable
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author Alex Collie
Shannon Elise Gray
author_facet Alex Collie
Shannon Elise Gray
author_sort Alex Collie
collection DOAJ
description Work disability occurs when an injury or illness limits the ability of a worker to participate in employment. While evidence suggests that people with work disability are at increased risk of suicide and intentional self-harm, this relationship has not been the subject of systematic review. This scoping review aims to assess and summarise the research literature regarding the relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or intentional self-harm. Review protocol was published on the Open Science Foundation and is reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Peer-reviewed studies published in English from 1st January 2000 were included if they reported suicide or self-harm outcomes in people aged 15 years or older with work disability. Studies were identified via systematic search of Medline, Scopus and Pubmed databases, via recommendation from topic experts, and citation searching of included articles. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Literature search yielded 859 records of which 47 eligible studies were included, nine set in workers' compensation, 20 in sickness absence, 13 in disability pension systems, and five from mixed cohorts. Of 44 quantitative studies, 41 reported a positive relationship between work disability and suicidal behaviour. The relationship is observed consistently across nations, work disability income support systems and health conditions. Several factors elevate risk of suicidal behaviour, including presence of mental health conditions and longer work disability duration. There were few studies in some nations and no suicide prevention interventions. The risk of suicide and self-harm is elevated in people experiencing work disability. Further observational research is required to fill evidence gaps. This review suggests the need for governments, employers and those involved in the care of people with work disability to focus on identification and monitoring of those at greatest risk of suicidal behaviour, and suicide prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-d66c496b762e4f40b1bee507025af5602025-02-05T05:50:35ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752022-01-01212e000092210.1371/journal.pgph.0000922The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.Alex CollieShannon Elise GrayWork disability occurs when an injury or illness limits the ability of a worker to participate in employment. While evidence suggests that people with work disability are at increased risk of suicide and intentional self-harm, this relationship has not been the subject of systematic review. This scoping review aims to assess and summarise the research literature regarding the relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or intentional self-harm. Review protocol was published on the Open Science Foundation and is reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Peer-reviewed studies published in English from 1st January 2000 were included if they reported suicide or self-harm outcomes in people aged 15 years or older with work disability. Studies were identified via systematic search of Medline, Scopus and Pubmed databases, via recommendation from topic experts, and citation searching of included articles. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Literature search yielded 859 records of which 47 eligible studies were included, nine set in workers' compensation, 20 in sickness absence, 13 in disability pension systems, and five from mixed cohorts. Of 44 quantitative studies, 41 reported a positive relationship between work disability and suicidal behaviour. The relationship is observed consistently across nations, work disability income support systems and health conditions. Several factors elevate risk of suicidal behaviour, including presence of mental health conditions and longer work disability duration. There were few studies in some nations and no suicide prevention interventions. The risk of suicide and self-harm is elevated in people experiencing work disability. Further observational research is required to fill evidence gaps. This review suggests the need for governments, employers and those involved in the care of people with work disability to focus on identification and monitoring of those at greatest risk of suicidal behaviour, and suicide prevention.https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0000922&type=printable
spellingShingle Alex Collie
Shannon Elise Gray
The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.
PLOS Global Public Health
title The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.
title_full The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.
title_fullStr The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.
title_short The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A scoping review.
title_sort relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self harm a scoping review
url https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0000922&type=printable
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