Background and Aims:Recent studies found a correlation between the growing incidence of suicides and the increased rate of unemployment. However, it is still unclear if the unemployment is only a precipitating factor which can be affected even by other aspects or if it is the main cause of the attempts. The study aims to examine the impact of the occupational status in suicide attempters, considering other potential precipitating or protective factors.Methods:A sample of 282 suicide attempters was recruited in six different emergency services. Two groups of 141 unemployed (U) and 141 employed (E) individuals were selected. Both U and E were composed of 74 females and 67 males matched for age (mean age = 41.89, SD = 10.81). The following data were collected: objective lethality, consideration of lethality, intentionality, previous suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, marital status, diagnosis. Chi-squared tests were used to compare U and E.Results:E tend to consider higher than U the lethality of the suicide attempt, regardless of the marital status. U tend to attempt suicide during an alcohol abuse episode and to exhibit more frequently alcohol addiction. U and single individuals show more frequently previous suicide attempts. Subjects with personality disorders are more frequently U, whereas those affected by affective disorders E.Conclusions:In our sample the marital status affects but does not neutralize the impact occupational status on suicide attempts. The presence of alcohol addiction confirmed its role as precipitating factor.