J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2002 Nov;41(6):1142-1155.

Prevalence of Suicide Behaviors(Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt) and Risk Factors of Suicide Attempts in Junior and High School Adolescents

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Gachon Medical School, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
  • 2Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Division of Health Policy Research, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
Aims of this study were 1) to estimate prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, 2) to find out whether the gender difference and age difference(13-15 years vs 16-18 years) for suicide behaviors exist, 3) to analyse correlates of suicide attempts among junior and high school adolescents aged 13-18 years old.
METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was used in a cluster random sample of 2,203 school adolescents(male 1,105, female 1,098). Data were obtained on a wide range of constructs including suicidal ideation and attempts during past 2 weeks, depressive symptoms, symptoms of DSM-IV alcohol dependence, family structure, socioeconomic status, smoking, satisfaction with school achievements, and subjective health status. Chi-square test were done for analysing gender difference and age difference of suicide behaviors. Statistical analyses including uni-variate and multi-variate logistic regression analysis were done for each sex, respectively.
RESULTS
1) The prevalence of suicide ideation during past 2 week was 30.7% in the total sample. The prevalence rates of male and female ideators were 26.9% and 34.9% respectively. The prevalence of suicide attempt during past 2 week was 5.3% in the total sample. The prevalence of suicide attempt in males was 3.4% and 7.3% in females. 2) Gender difference was significant. That is, female respondents showed higher rate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. In our study age difference was found only at the rate of suicide attempt. That is, older adolescents(16-18 years) showed only statistically significant higher rate of suicide attempt than younger adolescents(13-15 years). 3) Multi-variate logistic regression analysis revealed that the correlates for suicide attempt were female, moderate to severe depressive symptoms, alcohol dependence in the total sample. In males the correlate for suicide attempt was alcohol dependence. In females, were moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and alcohol dependence.
CONCLUSION
Depressive symptoms, alcohol dependence, presence of suicidal ideation were strong predictors for suicide attempts. This suggest that early detection of treatment of depression and alcohol dependence is important and psychiatric approach and follow-up be needed for the prevention of suicide.

Keyword

Suicide idea; Suicide attempt; Adolescent; Depressive symptom; Alcohol dependence

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Alcoholism
Surveys and Questionnaires
Depression
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Prevalence*
Risk Factors*
Smoke
Smoking
Social Class
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide*
Smoke
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