Factors Associated With Suicide Ideation in Lithuania and Poland Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

<b></b> <i>Background:</i> The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on many risk and protective factors associated with suicide. <i>Aims:</i> The aim of this study was to identify pandemic-related factors associated with suicidal ideation in the two European countries, Lithuania and Poland, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. <i>Method:</i> The sample comprised 2,459 participants in both countries; 57.2% of the respondents were female. The <i>M</i>_<i>age</i> of the participants was 43.45 years (<i>SD</i> = 15.91). Pandemic-related stressors and adjustment problems were measured to assess associations with suicidal ideation. <i>Results:</i> High levels of adjustment problems, loneliness, and burden due to staying at home more during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly associated with suicide ideation in both Lithuania and Poland. <i>Limitations:</i> This was a cross-sectional online study with different recruitment approaches in the two countries. <i>Conclusion:</i> Adjustment problems, loneliness, and stressors related to staying at home more could be important targets for suicide prevention amid the pandemic.