Abstract

Within Australia, men who reside in rural areas are at higher risk for suicide compared to men who reside in more populated areas. The aim of the current study was to examine the role that fewer reasons for living might play in the higher rates of suicide among men who reside in rural areas by testing a mediation model. Given the protective nature of reasons for living, I proposed that rurality would be associated with fewer reasons for living which, in turn, would be associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation. A convenience sample of 609 Australian men aged from 18 to 90 years (M = 51.42, SD = 20.61) completed the Reasons for Living Inventory and the suicide subscale of the General Health Questionnaire. The mediation model was supported for Survival and Coping Beliefs, Responsibility to Family, Child-related Concerns, and Moral Objections. In addition, rurality was directly associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation. Results indicate that increasing four key reasons for living among men who live in rural areas may be beneficial for their mental health. Identifying other protective factors is important to reduce suicide among rural men.

摘要

在澳大利亚，与居住在人口较多地区的男性相比，居住在农村地区的男性自杀风险更高。本研究的目的是通过测试中介模型来检验居住在农村地区的男性中，较少的生活原因可能在较高的自杀率中所起的作用。鉴于生活理由的保护性，我提出农村将与较少的生活理由相关联，而这反过来又与更高水平的自杀意念相关联。609 名 18 至 90 岁的澳大利亚男性的便利样本（M  = 51.42，SD = 20.61) 完成了一般健康问卷的生存原因和自杀子量表。调解模型得到了生存和应对信念、对家庭的责任、与儿童有关的担忧和道德异议的支持。此外，农村与较高水平的自杀意念直接相关。结果表明，增加居住在农村地区的男性的四个关键原因可能对他们的心理健康有益。确定其他保护因素对于减少农村男性的自杀率很重要。