Citation

Cepukiene V, Pakrosnis R, Goštautas A. Psychol. Health 2004; 19(Suppl 1): e31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing attention and financing suicide remains a problem in Lithuania. A large percentage of Lithuanian adolescents have suicidal thoughts. Nevertheless, there is lack of data about sex differences as well as the relationship among suicidal thoughts and psychosocial adjustment problems in adolescence, which aggravate the development of effective prevention programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between suicidal thoughts and psychosocial adjustment among adolescents.

METHOD: The data were collected using the "Standardized Interview for the Evaluation of Adolescents Problems" (Gostautas et al., 2003), assessing problems in physical functioning, use of psychoactive substances, presence/absence of stressful events, school adjustment, relationships among family members and peers as well as behavior in conflict situations, self-esteem, cognitive functioning, emotions and mood, suicidal tendency. The expected sample of the study is 300 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, as the study is still in progress.

RESULTS: The results of 80 adolescents show that suicidal thoughts are related to various psychosocial problems, such as sleep problems, conflicts with peers, low self-esteem, mood and emotional problems. The suicidal thoughts were related to different psychosocial problems depending on gender.

CONCLUSION: Suicidal tendencies among adolescents are related to their psychosocial adjustment and differ according to gender.

Language: en