Citation

Makara-Studzińska M, Koślak A. Psychiatr. Psychol. Klin. 2009; 9(3): 159-166.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Medical Communications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: According to some authors, there exists a natural and objective hierarchy of values, and maturation of individuals results in an increasingly complete discovery and recognition of this hierarchy. All kinds of crises of values, disturbed process of their internalisation and loss of their ideal hierarchy are probably associated with suicidal behaviours of in the adolescents. Aim of study: The aim of this study was to detect significant differences between adolescents after suicidal attempts and persons from a control group in terms of hierarchy of system of values. Material and methods: Study population included 99 persons after suicidal attempt and 301 controls. In both groups, adolescents have been recruited based on the following criteria: lack of symptoms of any severe somatic disease or organic brain damage, age 14-19 years, lack of symptoms of mental retardation or mental disease and lack of features indicating dependence on psychoactive substances. The Scheler Scale of Values and the Juczynski List of Personal Values have been used throughout the study.

RESULTS: Adolescents with a history of a suicidal attempt scored lower in the group of hedonistic, vital and aesthetic values. Significant differences appeared in the area of sacral needs and truth. Adolescents included in this study considered as "happiness" the fact of being needed by others and having many friends.

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with a history of suicidal attempt do not appreciate values associated with everyday life, fitness and physical strength, order and harmony, nor issues associated with knowledge, national identity and religion. For them, most important are love and friendship, mental and physical welfare, wealth and riches.

Language: pl

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; female; male; morality; Adolescents; Suicidal attempt; suicide attempt; article; major clinical study; controlled study; rating scale; human relation; esthetics; patient selection; happiness; Personal values; Symbols of happiness; System of values