Suicidal Ideation in Patients with Schizophrenia: Associated Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Psychopathological Variables
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5538/2385-703X.2026.32.5Keywords:
Depression, Schizophrenia, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide, Suicide, AttemptedAbstract
Introduction: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in patients with schizophrenia, and suicidal ideation constitutes a significant predictive factor of suicidal behavior. However, evidence regarding the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables associated with this phenomenon remains heterogeneous.
Objectives: To describe the prevalence of suicidal ideation in a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia and to identify the associated sociodemographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables.
Materials and Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 254 outpatients with schizophrenia. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). Current suicidal ideation was defined using item 8 of the CDSS. Descriptive analyses and bivariate comparisons were performed between patients with and without current suicidal ideation.
Results: Current suicidal ideation was present in 14.17% of patients and was significantly associated with unemployment (χ² = 8.139; statistical significance level [p] = 0.017), a history of previous suicide attempts (t = -2.119; p = 0.041), and greater severity of positive (t = -2.929; p = 0.004), negative (t = -2.265; p = 0.024), and depressive symptoms (t = -7.386; p < 0.001).
Discussion: This study identified specific sociodemographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables associated with suicidal ideation in schizophrenia. These findings may help mental health professionals develop more specific, targeted screening and prevention programs.
Conclusions: In this sample of stable outpatients with schizophrenia, current suicidal ideation was associated with unemployment, previous suicide attempts, and greater psychopathological severity. These findings support the need to integrate systematic assessments of affective symptoms, suicidal history, and employment status into mental health nursing follow-up.
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