Yasuma N, Watanabe K, Matsunaga A, Nishi D, Kawakami N. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19(1): e214.
Affiliation
Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan. nkawakami@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
BACKGROUND: This study retrospectively examined the association between personal values in adolescence and suicidality in a community-representative adult sample in Japan.
METHODS: Data were used from wave 1 (2010) and wave 3 (2017) of a Japanese Study on Stratification, Health, Income, and Neighborhood (J-SHINE) survey. Personal values at age 15 were retrospectively measured in 2017 in two ways: the original value priorities we made were based on the Schwartz theory of basic values; and the Japanese version of the Personal Values Questionnaire II (PVQ-II) was used to assess the degree of commitment to the values. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of personal values in adolescence with self-reported suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicide attempt (both during a lifetime and in the most recent year), adjusting for socio-demographics, smoking, alcohol consumption, and economic status among 15 year olds.
RESULTS: Cherishing family and friends was significantly and negatively associated with suicidal ideation over a lifetime and in the most recent year. Commitment to values was also significantly and negatively associated with suicidal ideation in the most recent year.
CONCLUSIONS: Investigating the association between personal values and suicidality could make a significant contribution to the literature by offering a new approach to understanding and preventing suicide.
Language: en
Keywords
Commitment to values; Personal values; Suicidality