Life Events, Social Support, Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Attempted Suicide – A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Suicide is a major public health problem influenced by a complex interaction of psychosocial stressors, social support, coping behaviour, and quality of life. Understanding these factors may help identify protective factors against suicidal behaviour.

Objective: To compare life events, social support, coping strategies, and quality of life between individuals who attempted suicide and healthy controls, and to identify factors associated with suicide attempts.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted involving suicide attempters and matched healthy controls. Participants were assessed using standardized instruments measuring life events, social support, coping strategies, and WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) domains. Statistical analyses included one-to-one comparisons and stepwise conditional logistic regression to determine independent protective factors.

Results: Suicide attempters experienced significantly more undesirable and personal life events, lower levels of social support, poorer coping strategies, and significantly reduced quality of life across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains compared with controls. Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that desirable life events, longer duration of education, and higher social support scores were significant independent protective factors against suicide attempts.

Conclusion: Suicide prevention should focus on strengthening social support systems, promoting positive coping skills, improving quality of life, encouraging positive life experiences, and enhancing educational opportunities. Because suicidal behaviour results from multiple interacting factors, comprehensive psychosocial interventions are essential for effective prevention.