A Systematic Evidence Review on Suicide in Kosovo

Abstract

The after-war Kosovo society was characterized by an increasing number of suicides. The aims of the study were the identification, appraisal, selection, and synthesis of studies on suicide in Kosovo. A classical theoretical approach has been used to analyze studies in known databases as well as dissertations and presentations at national conferences. Fifteen studies that met our selection criteria were analyzed. These studies were psychiatric/psychological, forensic, sociological, epidemiological, and legal type. We have not found any study of qualitative, physiological, or anthropological character. None of these studies noticed the focus on specific cultural elements. The investigation of social elements did not provide valuable data. Most of the studies focused on adolescents. Neither research has convinced us for it comprehensible view of suicide phenomenon. Only two studies analyzed predictors of suicide. Identification of the protective/risk factors is difficult because the reviewed studies have many methodological shortcomings. Although the studies analyzed include many valuable data of epidemiological nature, they do not allow us to develop a model for suicide.