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REVIEW article

Front. Psychol.
Sec. Psychology for Clinical Settings
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1483904
This article is part of the Research Topic Implementing Mental Health Prevention and Promotion Programs: A Sustainable Approach - Volume II View all articles

Factors of suicide-related behaviors based on stress-vulnerability model and prevention strategies among nurses: A scoping review

Provisionally accepted
Xiaoyu Yang Xiaoyu Yang 1,2Deying Hu Deying Hu 1*Lecheng Li Lecheng Li 1,2Rezvanguli Rezak Rezvanguli Rezak 1,2
  • 1 Department of Nursing, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
  • 2 School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to explore, appraise and synthesize the current literature regarding the incidence, factors influencing, and prevention strategies related to suicide risk among nurses.Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase from its formation to June 20, 2024, specifically focusing on the suicide-related behaviors of nurses written in Chinese or English. Two researchers independently screened the literature, and disagreements were debated until a consensus was reached. Data extraction was conducted for the studies that were included. The process of data synthesis was carried out using narrative analysis.The study encompassed 40 papers from 15 different countries. This study found that nurses' suicide ideation ranged from 4.3% to 44.58%, while suicide attempts ranged from 2.9% to 12.6%.Based on the stress-vulnerability model, factors influencing nurses' suicide-related behaviors include vulnerability(personality traits, coping styles), stressors (mental disorders, workplace bullying, etc.) and protective factors (social support, resilience, etc.). The strategies for preventing nurse suicide encompass primary prevention (for all nurses), secondary prevention (for nurses at risk of suicide), and tertiary prevention (for nurses who have attempted suicide).The suicide rate among nurses exceeds that of the general population. Mental disorders and workplace bullying are significant stressors that contribute to nurse suicide. suicide-related behaviors among nurses can be effectively prevented and managed through the implementation of the tertiary prevention strategies. Primary prevention is essential in reducing suicide. Cognitive exercises and schedule shifts reasonably are primary preventive measures tailored for nurses. This study addresses the gaps in influencing factors about suicide-related behaviors among nurses and the strategies for preventing suicide, and provides a complete review of the current situation of nurses' suicide-related behaviors, providing references for the safe management of nurses' suicide.

    Keywords: Nurse, Suicide, Current situations, the stress-vulnerability model, Tertiary Prevention

    Received: 20 Aug 2024; Accepted: 06 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Yang, Hu, Li and Rezak. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Deying Hu, Department of Nursing, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.