Analyzing the psychosocial and sociodemographic features of adolescents attempting suicide

Abstract

Determinants related to suicide attempts for adolescents have been the subject of several studies. Here, we aimed to reveal the factors that constitute the idea of suicide by examining the depression-anxiety status and self-concept of adolescents, as well as their socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 100 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 who were admitted to İzmir Tepecik Teaching and Research Hospital between January 2013 and December 2015 due to a suicide attempt were included in the study. In addition to the questionnaire containing socio-demographic information and familial characteristics, the Beck depression scale, the state and trait anxiety inventory, and the Piers-Harris self-concept scale were filled out by the adolescents. Compared with the control group, adolescent suicide attempters report a greater rate of smoking and alcohol use, having a broken family, a suicide attempt history, and a family history of psychiatric disorders. In addition, higher levels of depression and anxiety and lower levels of self-concept were detected among the suicidal adolescents. The study results show that suicidal adolescents who have high levels of depression and anxiety, as well as low self-concept, may lead the adolescent to suicide attempts by reducing their capacity to cope with problems.

Keywords

• adolescent depression
• self-concept
• suicide attempt

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