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Abstract
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OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is to establish the relationship between male and female adolescent suicidal tendencies and psychological adjustment.
METHODS: A questionnaire was used to measure various psychological aspects of suicidal tendencies. Reliability of scales was assessed by calculating Cronbach α (Cronbach ■0.8). Subjects in the study were 16-18-year-old schoolchildren living in one of the administrative districts in Lithuania. The study was conducted in 1999-2002. There was a total of 1680 subjects: 933 (55.5%) female and 747 (44.5%) male.
RESULTS: It was found that Suicide Scale scores were significantly higher for females than for males. Attempted suicide was significantly more prevalent among females (9.9%) than among males (2.4%). From 1999 to 2002 there was a significant decline in suicidal tendencies as measured by Suicide Scale among 16-18-years-old adolescents (both females and males). Female and male suicidal tendencies as measured by Suicide Scale are significantly related to depression, low self-esteem, loneliness, reticence, anxiety, impulsivity, learning and behavioral problems, conflictridden relationships with teachers, negative attitudes towards school, and adverse family environment. Experienced violence and substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, nicotine) was related to significantly higher suicide scores in both male and female groups.
CONCLUSION: Suicidal tendencies as measured by the Suicide Scale are multidimensional phenomena. Males and females did not differ in terms of suicidal tendencies correlates.
Language: en |