Suicidal behavior in working life - risk and protective factors from a gender perspective

This project will provide new knowledge about suicidal behavior (including completed suicide and suicide attempts) in working life that the social partners in the labor market aks for. There are knowledge gaps in research on suicidal behavior regarding

1. risk groups for suicidal behavior in the labor market,
2. the importance of the work environment for suicidal behavior, and
3. methodological shortcomings.

This project focuses on several of these knowledge gaps. We analyze register data that includes the entire working population in Sweden and survey data from the SLOSH cohort. We analyze suicidal behavior in relation to different occupations and industries in the Swedish labor market from a gender perspective. We examine how the gender distribution in different occupations is linked to women's and men's risks of suicidal behavior. We study risk and protective factors in the organizational and social work environment, such as emotional demands, job control and social support in relation to suicidal behavior in different occupations. We conduct interviews with social partners in the labor market representing occupations/industries with high or low incidence of suicidal behavior to contribute to preventive measures against suicidal behavior in working life. The results will guide further research on specific occupations and industries with a high risk of suicidal behavior and contribute to the development of policies and preventive measures in the workplace.

Project objectives

From a gender perspective, the aim is to develop new knowledge about suicidal behavior among women and men in different occupations in the labor market in Sweden, to investigate risk and protective factors in the work environment for suicidal behavior, and to increase knowledge about preventive measures against suicidal behavior in the workplace.

From a gender perspective, we will answer the following research questions:

1. Does the risk of suicidal behavior (completed suicide or suicide attempts) differ for women and men in different occupations in the Swedish labor market based on the industry's gender composition (female-dominated, male-dominated, or industry with an even gender distribution)?
2. What is the significance of risk and protective factors in the organizational and social work environment at the occupational level for suicidal behavior among women and men in different occupations in the Swedish labor market? What is the significance of lifestyle-related risk and protective factors?
3. How do social partners in the labor market work with preventive measures against suicidal behavior in occupations/industries with high or low incidence of suicidal behavior?