What you need to know
This study measured suicidal behaviours in a sample of provincial correctional workers in Ontario. Correctional workers experience repeated potentially psychologically traumatic events, which can increase their risk for mental disorders and death by suicide. Little is known about the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts among the correctional workforce. Through a survey of correctional workers, the researchers found that provincial correctional workers experience higher rates of suicidal behaviours than the general Canadian population. The researchers also found that women, older workers, those with lower education levels, or those who were separated or widowed were more likely to report past-year and lifetime suicidal behaviours. These findings suggests that provincial correctional workers could benefit from additional mental health supports.
What is this research about?
A group of Canadian researchers decided to examine suicidal behaviours among Ontario correctional workers serving in the provincial correctional system. Correctional workers include all persons employed in the community (e.g., probation and parole officers) and institutional (e.g., correctional officers, prison health care, and supervisors) correctional services. Correctional workers describe their workplace as stressful and experience potentially psychologically traumatic events repeatedly. This environment and exposure can increase their risk of mental disorders and death by suicide.
Past research indicates that Public Safety Personnel (PSP), which include professionals working in various sectors such as correctional services, border services, paramedicine, policing, firefighting, and more, have high rates of suicidal behaviours. However, before this study, there was little research about the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts among the correctional service workforce within this population.
What did the researchers do?
Within this study, participants completed an online survey that asked whether they had experienced suicidal behaviours in the past year and in their lifetime. Participants received emails from both the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) that informed them about the study and invited them to participate voluntarily.
974 Ontario correctional workers completed the online survey.
The survey asked about the participants’:
- suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts in the past year and during their lifetime
- sex, age, marital status, education and total years of service
- role within correctional services.
What did the researchers find?
According to the survey, reports of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts largely exceed the rates found in the general population:
- More than a quarter of provincial correctional workers said that they have seriously contemplated suicide.
- 7% of them reported suicidal thoughts in the past year alone.
- 3% and 12% of workers said that they have planned to attempt suicide in the past year and in their lifetime, respectively.
- 5% reported having attempted suicide in their lifetimes.
Several sociodemographic factors also appeared to impact suicidal behaviours. Participants who were separated, divorced, or widowed were significantly more likely to report past-year suicidal thoughts and lifetime suicidal planning than participants who were in a relationship. Participants with a lower level of education were also more likely to report past-year suicidal thoughts compared to participants with college or university education.
Female correctional workers and workers over 50 years old reported more lifetime suicide attempts in comparison to male and young workers. Correctional workers over 40 years old as well as workers with higher tenure appeared at a higher risk for lifetime suicidal ideation compared to younger workers or workers with less tenure.
Limitations of the research
Since the study sample was self-selected, the results may not be representative of all provincial correctional workers. A larger and more diverse study sample would have allowed the researchers to look at differences between occupational groups within correctional services.
Additionally, the researchers mentioned that web-based questionnaires may be less valid and reliable compared to clinician-administered interviews. The researchers also pointed out that the survey measures might underestimate the number of suicidal attempts, as participants can underreport symptoms and survey measures do not include individuals who died by suicide.
Some survey responses were incomplete, and respondents did not report the reasons for failing to complete the survey. Additionally, participants did not report the time of onset for the reported suicidal behaviours. This means that these behaviours could have occurred before participants took on their role as correctional workers.
How can you use this research?
These findings suggests that provincial correctional workers experience significantly higher rates of suicidal behaviours than the general Canadian population. Specific subgroups, such as female workers, workers over 40 years old, workers who are separated or widowed, and those with a lower level of education appear to have a greater risk for suicidal behaviours. Clinicians, correctional organizations and policy-makers can use the results of this research to provide tailored prevention and intervention programming aimed at supporting the mental health of provincial correctional workers.
The researchers also mentioned the importance of assessing suicide risk in correctional settings. More research is needed to understand geographic and population differences and see what actions could be implemented to reduce the risk of suicide for those serving in correctional services.
About the researchers
- Nicholas Carleton1, Rosemary Ricciardelli2, Tamara Taillieu3, Andrea M. Stelnicki4, Dianne Groll5, and Tracie O. Afifi3
- Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Regina,
- School of Maritime Studies, Fisheries and Marine Institute at Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University