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Table 1 Domains and indicator variables for suicide latent class analysis

From: Suicide typologies among Medicaid beneficiaries, North Carolina 2014–2017

Source

Domain

Concept Measured

Operational Definition

Medical Examiner and Law Enforcement Reports (NC-VDRS)

Stressful Life Events

Death of family member or friend

Considered to have contributed to the suicide

Intimate partner problem

Considered to have contributed to the suicide

Family problem

Considered to have contributed to the suicide

Legal problem (civil/criminal)

Considered to have contributed to the suicide

Physical health problem

Considered to have contributed to the suicide

Suicidal Behavior

History of suicide attempt

Lifetime

Disclosed intent to suicide

Within the last month

Known to have experienced suicidal thoughts

Lifetime

Perceived Behavioral Health

Substance use problem

An acquaintance knew this to be a perceived problem at time of death

Alcohol use problem

An acquaintance knew this to be a perceived problem at time of death

Depressed mood

An acquaintance knew this to be a perceived problem at time of death

Mental health problem

An acquaintance knew this to be a diagnosed problem (at any point) which had not resolved by the time of death

Diagnoses and Encounters (NC Medicaid claims)

Diagnosed Behavioral Health

Drug use disordera

Any diagnosis within past 2 years

Alcohol use disordera

Any diagnosis within past 2 years

Bipolar disordera

Any diagnosis within past 2 years

Anxiety disordera

Any diagnosis within past 2 years

Depressive disordera

Any diagnosis within past year

Encounter in past 90 days

Any claim reflecting an inpatient or outpatient encounter within past 90 days

  1. NC-VDRS North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System
  2. aDiagnoses were defined using algorithms from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services