Citation

Chan WS, Law CK, Liu KY, Wong PW, Law YW, Yip PS. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2009; 44(4): 278-284.

Affiliation

HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-008-0434-x

PMID

18836885

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescent suicidal ideation has found to predict suicidal behaviors and psychopathology in adulthood. Previous studies focused solely on the medical and environmental risk factors, which were insufficient to give a holistic picture of adolescent suicidality. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of affective and cognitive attributes in the identification and prevention of adolescent suicidal ideation. METHOD: A community sample of 511 participants (age 15-19 years) were asked to indicate their suicidality in the 12 months and in their lifetime. Generalized estimating equation regression models were used to examine the effect of psychosocial and socio-environmental correlates in relation to adolescent suicidal ideation. RESULTS: The data show that perceived responsibilities for family was the only protective factor, while a coping mechanism by behavioral disengagement, severity of depressive symptoms, a history of deliberate self-harm, chronic physical illness or pain, media reporting of suicide news, and low household income were the risk factors for adolescent suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a multilayer effort for preventing adolescent suicide is needed by providing support for children in deprived families; enhancing life skills in the teens; strengthening family relationship; improving mental and health services; and promoting responsible media reporting on suicide.

Language: en