The struggle to prevent and evaluate: Application of population attributable risk and preventive fraction to suicide prevention research

Karolina Krysinska, Graham Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Population attributable risk (PAR) estimates have been used in suicide research to evaluate the impact of psychosocial and socioeconomic risk factors, including affective disorders, traumatic life events, and unemployment. A parallel concept of preventive fraction (PF), allowing for estimation of the impact of protective factors and effectiveness of preventive interventions, is practically unknown in suicidology. The study authors discuss the application of both concepts to suicide research and prevention, and review literature on the subject. Despite several methodological and conceptual limitations, both PAR and PF are valuable instruments to inform development and evaluation of suicide prevention programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)548-557
Number of pages10
JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2009
Externally publishedYes

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