Protective Factors in Youth Suicide: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Cross-Sectional Studies

Abstract

Suicide is a global health problem, ranking among the top three causes of death during young and emerging adulthood. While much of the existing literature has concentrated on risk factors, there is a growing need to examine protective factors that may buffer against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This systematic review aims to synthesize empirical findings on protective factors associated with reduced suicide risk among youth. A total of 41 peer-reviewed studies were included based on predefined inclusion criteria. The results identified five key protective factors that were consistently associated with lower levels of suicidal ideation and behavior: perceived social support, resilience, religiosity, self-esteem, and meaning/purpose in life. These findings underscore the importance of shifting toward a more balanced research and intervention agenda that incorporates protective processes. Integrating these protective factors into treatment plans and national prevention strategies could foster a reduction in suicide risk among youth. By prioritizing the cultivation of these five protective factors, prevention efforts can move beyond merely reducing risk to actively building psychological and social resources that promote life-sustaining resilience in young people. Therefore, all intervention and prevention strategies — from school-based programs to national mental health policies — urgently need to be redesigned to systematically foster these five protective factors alongside reducing risk.

Keywords

• suicide
• youth
• protective
• resilience
• prevention

Genç İntiharlarında Koruyucu Faktörler: Kesitsel Araştırmalardan Elde Edilen Bulguların Sistematik Derlemesi

Öz

İntihar, genç yetişkinlik ve beliren yetişkinlik dönemlerindeki ölüm nedenleri arasında ilk üç sırada yer alan küresel bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Mevcut literatür, çoğunlukla risk faktörleri üzerinde durmakla birlikte, bireyleri intihara düşünce ve davranışlarına karşı koruyan faktörlerin ele alındığı çalışmalara yönelik ihtiyaç giderek artmaktadır. Bu sistematik derleme, gençler arasında intihar riskiyle negatif yönde ilişkili bulunan koruyucu faktörlere yönelik ampirik bulguları sentezlemeyi hedeflemektedir. Önceden oluşturulan kriterlere göre belirlenen 41 hakemli çalışma derlemeye dahil edilmiştir. Bulgular, intihar düşünce ve girişimleri ile negatif yönde ve anlamlı ilişkisi olan beş temel koruyucu faktör olduğunu ortaya koymuştur: algılanan sosyal destek, psikolojik dayanıklılık (resilience), dindarlık, benlik saygısı ve yaşamda anlam/amaç. Elde edilen sonuçlar, araştırma ve müdahale süreçlerinin daha dengeli bir çerçevede yürütülmesinin ve koruyucu faktörlerin de bu süreçlere entegre edilmesinin önemine dikkat çekmektedir. Bu koruyucu faktörlerin tedavi planlarına ve ulusal önleme planlarına dahil edilmesi, gençler arasında intihar riskinin azaltılmasına katkı sağlayabilir. Bu beş koruyucu faktörün bilinçli olarak güçlendirilmesine öncelik verilerek, önleme çalışmaları yalnızca riski azaltmanın ötesine geçebilir ve gençlerde yaşamı sürdüren psikolojik ve sosyal kaynakları aktif biçimde oluşturulabilir. Bu nedenle, okul temelli programlardan ulusal ruh sağlığı politikalarına kadar tüm müdahale ve önleme stratejilerinin, risk faktörlerini azaltmanın yanı sıra bu beş koruyucu faktörü sistematik olarak geliştirecek şekilde yeniden tasarlanması acil bir ihtiyaçtır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• suicide
• youth
• protective
• resilience
• prevention

Kaynakça

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