Suicidal Ideation Among Persons on Parole: The Role of Residential Instability

Background and Significance: Growing evidence that suicidality disproportionately burdens persons on parole. One study suggests that rates of suicide were 6.75 times higher among persons on parole (POP) relative to the general public. This is concerning because there are over 4.5 million people under adult community supervision (or 1 in 55) in the U.S. POP experience numerous barriers that may impact successful reintegration into society. Residential instability may further add to these obstacles, as there may be limited opportunities for housing given their criminal history. The present study aimed to examine the impact of residential instability on suicidal ideation among persons on parole.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study pooled data (2015–2019) from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A subsample of self-identified persons reported being on parole during the past 12 months (N=1,725). Respondents who move 0-2 times in the past 12 months were considered residentially stable, while those who moved 3 or more times were considered residentially unstable. The main analysis included computing a multivariate binary logistic regression model to identify predictors of suicide ideation. Two models were computed independently: one for POP who were residentially stable and another for POP who were residentially unstable. Only independent variables that reached statistical significance of .05 at the bivariate level were included in building the multivariate model. Odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported for the bivariate and multivariate results. All analyses were computed using SPSS version 27.

Results: The majority of POP identified as being residentially stable, whereas 25% of the total sample identified as being residentially unstable. Binary logistic regression results for those who were residentially stable suggest that was having perceived unmet mental health needs, receiving mental health treatment, age, and marijuana use predicted suicide ideation. The next model revealed that age, methamphetamine use, sexual minority status, receiving prescription medication for mental health treatment, perceived unmet mental health needs, and receiving mental health treatment were significantly associated with suicide ideation among residentially unstable POP. The highest odds of reporting suicidal ideation among POP who were residentially stable and unstable was among respondents who reported having unmet mental health needs.

Conclusions: The current study demonstrated further evidence of housing instability and experiencing suicidal ideation among POP, including those who identify as bisexual, being younger, those who engage in substance use, and those with unmet mental health needs. The importance of housing and residential stability underscores the need for these resources within community settings as a means of promoting successful outcomes within the POP population. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring access to community mental health resources, as the lack of adequate support significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation among both residentially stable and unstable POP.