Demographic and clinical baseline characteristics from the Spanish SURVIVE prospective cohort study on suicide attempts.

BACKGROUND

Cohort studies of individuals with a suicide attempt are crucial for identifying risk and protective factors to prevent recurrence. The SURVIVE prospective cohort study aims to investigate the demographic and clinical profiles of individuals presenting with suicidal behaviour.

METHODS

A total of 1,741 individuals (289 adolescents aged 12-17 and 1,443 adults aged 18 and older) were recruited from emergency departments at eight hospitals across five Spanish regions following a suicide attempt. Baseline data were collected using structured clinical interviews and validated self-report instruments. Sociodemographic and psychiatric variables were analysed.

RESULTS

Most participants were female, and approximately 20% were migrants. Religious affiliation was reported by 35.6% of adolescents and 48.4% of adults. Depression and anxiety were the most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses, while trauma-related and eating disorders were more frequent in adolescents, and substance use disorders in adults. Non-suicidal self-injury was reported by 76.6% of adolescents and 40.1% of adults. The most common method of attempt was self-poisoning in both groups. Psychotropic medication use was widespread, with both groups receiving a similar number of prescriptions.

CONCLUSIONS

The SURVIVE study provides a detailed characterization of suicide attempters in Spain, highlighting age-specific clinical patterns and contextual risk factors such as migration and religion. These findings underscore the need for tailored prevention strategies that consider developmental stage, psychiatric comorbidity, and social vulnerability.