Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2012 Apr;23(2):65-73.

Suicidal Behavior and Internet Use in Adolescent Depression

• Choi HI
• Jon DI
• Jung MH
• Hong N
• Kim JJ
• Song JE
• Yook KH
• Hong HJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Suicide is the leading cause of death for adolescents. The internet is widespread in Korea and has influence on mental health of adolescents. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the internet use and suicidal behavior resulting from adolescent depression.
METHODS
The subjects consisted of 61 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 who were diagnosed as depression by Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Korean Version and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 4th edition. Suicidal behavior was assessed by Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Patients were inquired about their internet use using questionnaires and other clinical variables using Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale, Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Internet Game Addiction Scale and Physical Abuse Scale.
RESULTS
The patients within the high-risk group were more prone to searching for the word 'suicide' on the internet and having suicidal idea compare to the patients within the low-risk group. Among the high-risk group, the patients who searched for the word 'suicide' tended to be more anxious compared to the patients who did not search the word.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study suggest that searching the word 'suicide' on the internet is associated with suicidal idea. It is suggested that intervention on the patients within the searching group may reduce the suicidal idea resulting from adolescent depression.

Keyword

Adolescent; Suicidal behavior; Suicide; Depression; Internet

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Cause of Death
Depression
Humans
Internet
Korea
Manifest Anxiety Scale
Mental Disorders
Mental Health
Mood Disorders
Surveys and Questionnaires
Schizophrenia
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide