Frequency and correlates of suicidality in a sample of traumatized treatment-seeking refugees

Introduction: Refugees are at heightened risk for suicidality due to trauma exposure, elevated prevalence of mental disorders, and postmigration stressors. Therefore, it is important to study Suicidal Behavior Disorder (SBD), included in DSM-5 for research purposes, as well as correlates of suicidality in this population.Methods: In a sample of N = 103 treatment-seeking refugees, SBD frequency was assessed using a clinical interview. Associations between suicidality (presence and severity) and potential correlates - gender, age, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Disorders of Self-Organization (DSO), depression, insecure asylum status, flight duration, postmigration living difficulties (PMLD) and religiosity - were examined via univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: Fifteen patients (14.66%) met criteria for SBD. DSO were associated with the presence of suicidality in univariate and multivariate analyses and with the severity of suicidality in multivariate analyses. Sexual trauma frequency was associated with the presence of suicidality, while PTSD severity and lower religiosity were linked to greater suicidality severity. Depressive symptoms were associated with suicidality only in univariate analyses while an insecure asylum status was associated with suicidality in multivariate analyses only.Conclusion: Suicidality should be systematically assessed in treatment-seeking refugees, particularly those with DSO or an insecure asylum status. Brief suicide prevention interventions may be warranted when treatment duration is uncertain, and targeted PTSD treatments should be offered when indicated.