Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample

Introduction: Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of the Canadian population and is related to increases in suicide-related outcomes. Protective factors for suicidal behaviours are understudied, yet they are an important area of research for promoting mental health and preventing suicide. This st...

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Main Authors: Sarah E. Turner, Justin J. Lang, Natalie Doan, Melanie Varin, Wendy Thompson, Raelyne L Dopko
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:SSM - Mental Health
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560325000623
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author Sarah E. Turner
Justin J. Lang
Natalie Doan
Melanie Varin
Wendy Thompson
Raelyne L Dopko
author_facet Sarah E. Turner
Justin J. Lang
Natalie Doan
Melanie Varin
Wendy Thompson
Raelyne L Dopko
author_sort Sarah E. Turner
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of the Canadian population and is related to increases in suicide-related outcomes. Protective factors for suicidal behaviours are understudied, yet they are an important area of research for promoting mental health and preventing suicide. This study examined the relationship between chronic pain and past-year suicidal ideation and the moderating roles of positive mental health and coping. Methods: Data were from the 2019/20 cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a cross-sectional Canadian survey (n= 64,654). Chronic pain (yes/no), positive mental health (including self-rated mental health (low/high) and community belonging (low/high)), coping (low/high) and past-year suicidal ideation (yes/no) were measured using self-report survey questions. We used weighted logistic regression to assess relationships between chronic pain, self-rated mental health, community belonging, coping, and suicidal ideation adjusting for sociodemographic, mental health and substance use variables. Additive and multiplicative interactions were used to test moderation between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation. Results: Experiencing chronic pain was associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.32, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.85- 2.90). High positive mental health and coping were protective factors for suicidal ideation (aORs of 0.13, 0.57 and 0.24, respectively). Additive interactions showed that experiencing chronic pain, along with low positive mental health or coping was associated with a higher odds of suicidal ideation than the sum of the individual associations. There were no significant multiplicative interactions. Conclusion: This study shows that chronic pain is associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation, and the odds were even higher for those who also reported low positive mental health or coping. In addition to facilitating reductions in chronic pain, providing individuals experiencing chronic pain with mental health support and coping skills may protect against suicidal ideation.
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spelling doaj-art-ebdf39b609e14b13929a159f82a7fa642025-08-20T03:46:58ZengElsevierSSM - Mental Health2666-56032025-06-01710045010.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100450Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sampleSarah E. Turner0Justin J. Lang1Natalie Doan2Melanie Varin3Wendy Thompson4Raelyne L Dopko5Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaCentre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Corresponding author. Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, 785 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.Introduction: Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of the Canadian population and is related to increases in suicide-related outcomes. Protective factors for suicidal behaviours are understudied, yet they are an important area of research for promoting mental health and preventing suicide. This study examined the relationship between chronic pain and past-year suicidal ideation and the moderating roles of positive mental health and coping. Methods: Data were from the 2019/20 cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a cross-sectional Canadian survey (n= 64,654). Chronic pain (yes/no), positive mental health (including self-rated mental health (low/high) and community belonging (low/high)), coping (low/high) and past-year suicidal ideation (yes/no) were measured using self-report survey questions. We used weighted logistic regression to assess relationships between chronic pain, self-rated mental health, community belonging, coping, and suicidal ideation adjusting for sociodemographic, mental health and substance use variables. Additive and multiplicative interactions were used to test moderation between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation. Results: Experiencing chronic pain was associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.32, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.85- 2.90). High positive mental health and coping were protective factors for suicidal ideation (aORs of 0.13, 0.57 and 0.24, respectively). Additive interactions showed that experiencing chronic pain, along with low positive mental health or coping was associated with a higher odds of suicidal ideation than the sum of the individual associations. There were no significant multiplicative interactions. Conclusion: This study shows that chronic pain is associated with higher odds of suicidal ideation, and the odds were even higher for those who also reported low positive mental health or coping. In addition to facilitating reductions in chronic pain, providing individuals experiencing chronic pain with mental health support and coping skills may protect against suicidal ideation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560325000623
spellingShingle Sarah E. Turner
Justin J. Lang
Natalie Doan
Melanie Varin
Wendy Thompson
Raelyne L Dopko
Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample
SSM - Mental Health
title Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample
title_full Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample
title_fullStr Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample
title_full_unstemmed Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample
title_short Examining interactions between chronic pain, positive mental health and coping on past-year suicidal ideation in a Canadian sample
title_sort examining interactions between chronic pain positive mental health and coping on past year suicidal ideation in a canadian sample
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560325000623
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