This study aimed at investigating the relationship between adolescent parasuicide, depressive illness and associated risk factors. Reports worldwide indicate that suicidal behaviour in this age group has risen 150% over the past 20 years, whilst the rate for suicide in adults and the elderly has remained the same (Deykin et al, 1985; Neiger & Hopkins, 1988; Sudak, Ford & Rushforth, 1984a). In South Africa statistics confirm similar trends with regard to attempted and completed suicide. Statistics reveal that a high local incidence of adolescent suicide attempters are seen at psychiatric units. One pilot study recorded 187 adolescent suicide attempters during a three month period. This study was based on the hypothesis that the incidence of depressive illness in adolescent suicide attempters is higher than is generally accepted and that this condition often goes unrecognised and is misdiagnosed because it manifests differently with acting out behaviour and "masked" symptomatology. A random sample of suicide attempters between the ages of 13 - 25 who presented at C23 (psychiatric emergencies) Groote Schuur Hospital following a suicide attempt were assessed. 100 subjects were seen over a period of three months. The research procedure comprised a comprehensive assessment incorporating a semi-structured interview, self-report and objective rating scales for depression as well as instruments designed to assess the general health of each subject and their level of suicide intent. The depressive inventories used have been validated for use in this age group and were designed to elicit the associated features of adolescent depression. If warranted, a clinical diagnoses was given based on DSM 1V criteria. This diagnosis was substantiated by information from the research instruments which formed part of the assessment process. A high incidence of clinical disorders was diagnosed in the sample (86%). Depressive illness was found to be a significant risk factor for suicidal behaviour with 68% of the subjects suffering from an affective disorder and 21% reporting depressive symptoms. This study shows that the correlation between parasuicide and depressive illness is high enough to suggest that all suicidal behaviour in this age group should be taken seriously as parasuicide in itself is often a reliable indicator of an underlying depressive condition. Additional risk factors for adolescent parasuicide identified in this study correlated well with the findings of similar research studies. Psychiatric co-morbidity, especially substance use (42%) and cluster B personality factors (54%), were high and served to increase an individual's vulnerability to suicide risk. Psychosocial factors such as sexual abuse (28%) and physical abuse (37%) were also identified as high risk factors for adolescent suicidal behaviour. Individuals at risk for depression and suicidal behaviour typically came from broken homes which were disrupted and unsupportive. Family members were frequently abusing alcohol and 67% of the subjects reported the presence of psychiatric illness in the family. The preferred method of suicide attempt was an overdose (90%). These attempts were generally unplanned and impulsive with no disclosure prior to the event. Intent was usually high at the time of the act. It is only through identifying the risk factors specific to the developmental concerns of this age group and acknowledging the role of depressive illness in adolescent suicidal behaviour that effective preventative measures can be devised.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

In recent years there has been a notable increase in the number of suicides amongst South Asian youth in the Region of Peel in Ontario. Using a six-page questionnaire, an exploratory descriptive study was conducted with 104 participants. The purpose of the study was to inquire into the number of South Asian youth that had ever considered committing suicide; determine whether there were any predicting factors; and gain insight as to "why." It was found that close to 30% of the sample had considered suicide and that gender, place of birth and a self-rating scale of depression were significant variables. Of those who had admitted to having considered suicide, 'family pressures' was cited as the number one reason.

No description available.

Background. Suicide in China now is recognized as a major public health challenge. It is distinctively associated with a preponderance of more deaths in women than men, and heavy burdens among rural youth and young adults. Although there are accumulating data regarding the epidemiology of suicide, there are only meager data on suicidal ideation and attempts. Determining whether risk factors for attempted suicide and suicidal ideation are similar to those for suicide will contribute to formulating future prevention efforts. / Discussion and conclusions. Our results uncovered, despite coming from a national population with a relatively elevated risk for death by suicide, a prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts that is comparable to internationally reported data. The overall pattern of correlates for ideation, planning, and attempts was similar in many respects to those reported for completed suicide within the same population, on the perspective of demographic distribution. We consider the contexts for these findings, including the potential impacts of rapid urbanization and large numbers of migrant workers. Our results underscored the significance of depression as a major risk factor for suicidal morbidity. In addition, a number of socio-cultural factors were also vital. Findings from this study helped to shed light on the factors associated with suicidal morbidity in China. The most important lesson is that both psychopathological and sociocultural factors affect suicide morbidity in China, with more traits in the sociocultural domain surviving the final analysis. It reminds researchers that when looking at Chinese suicide, the endeavor should not be limited to psychopathology and the puzzle of why the rates of depression among Chinese suicide were lower than other countries. Instead, socio-cultural components should be paid equal attention. This is especially helpful for suicide prevention efforts in communities or from the public health perspective, for example, that attitude toward suicide (an important associate of suicidal morbidity in China based on our data) is possible to change under the movement of public education. The treatment for depression can only reach clinical samples, yet most of people who die by suicide come instead from communities. Local knowledge is essential as the profile of risks might differ markedly from other countries such as alcohol use and religiosity. / Findings. 1654 subjects, 98% of those approached and 55% of the enumerated potential subjects were interviewed. Among the unapproachable subjects with demographic profile gathered (n=995), 77% (n=811) were unobtainable because they were migrant workers. Lifetime and one-year prevalence data included: Any suicidal ideation -- 18.8%, 5.2%, respectively; serious ideation -- 8.7%, 2.3%; planning -- 5.7%, 1.5%; and attempt -- 2.8%, 0.5%. Comparisons among strata of demographic characteristics showed more prevalent suicidal ideation and attempts associated with female gender, lower education, lower income, farmers, greater rurality of residence, and having never married or "other" married. There was a higher prevalence of suicide ideation, but not for suicide attempt, among students. High risks of suicidality were also found in those with a higher score of depressive symptoms in the past two weeks, with positive screening of major depression or dysthymia, higher score of neuroticism. Poor quality of life and lower life satisfaction increased the risk for suicidality, but the impact was secondary to depression. Many socio-cultural factors that have not been elucidated in previous research were found to be associated with suicidality, including attitude toward suicide, reasons for living, violence exposure, religiosity, and exposure to completed suicide, aside from the number of life events. Surprisingly, alcohol use is not harmful, in fact, is potentially beneficial; and having a religion is a risk factor instead of being protective as observed in most countries. / Methods. This was a cross-sectional community survey of all available individuals, ages 16-34 years, of 10 randomly selected villages in the Mianyang Region, Sichuan Province. Each participated in face-to-face interviews with structured questionnaires regarding indicators of suicidal morbidity, a range of sociodemographic characteristics, as well as psychopathological and socio-cultural features. We report the lifetime and one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among the youth and young adults of these communities, and their demographic, psychopathological, and social-cultural correlates. / Dai, Jing. / Adviser: Helen F.K. Chiu. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3777. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-179). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

The main purpose of this study was to develop a more complete understanding of the deeply situated, ethical and political character of suicide prevention program planning practice through the analysis of everyday narratives or "practice stories." By offering an in-depth view of program planning practice - based on the retrospective analysis of a national conference planning process - this study provides an ideal opportunity for learning about "what matters most" when multiple interest groups come together to plan new programs. Three broad research questions provide the focus for this study: What are the diverse personal and professional understandings that stakeholders bring to the work of suicide prevention? How do these various identities and roles get enacted through language? What are the implications that these various understandings and multiple discourses have for shaping subsequent program planning experiences, decisions and actions? Using an open-ended interview structure, nine conference planning committee members were invited to reflect on their own experiences at the planning table. My own storied account of our planning experience is presented alongside the observations and stories of my planning colleagues. Thus, the varied perspectives of different planning partners and stakeholders are represented in their own words and are woven into an unfolding and textured narrative about planning practice in the mental health field. Several important findings emerged which have relevance for the future study and practice of program planning. First, there was a clear privileging of professional knowledge and interests at our planning table. Second, the tasks of problem framing and discourse shaping are key functions that planners need to bring conscientious attention to in order to advance the overall planning agenda. Finally, critical listening, emotion, empathy, and care are important elements of communication and meaning making and I have argued that these relational attributes should be explicitly cultivated and nurtured at the planning table.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interaction of (1) the secondary school teacher's knowledge concerning both the problem of adolescent suicide and the potential for teacher intervention and (2) selected demographic variables on the dependent variables of the teacher's attitudes concerning both the problem of adolescent suicide and the potential for teacher intervention in order to develop a data base upon which to examine the prospects for realizing the intervention potential of secondary school teachers in the area of adolescent suicide. Findings indicate that there are significant differences in knowledge concerning the problem of adolescent suicide and the potential for teacher intervention as a function of particular demographics. Similarly, there are significant differences in attitude toward the problem of adolescent suicide and the potential for teacher intervention as a function of particular demographics. Findings further reveal that level of knowledge appears to be a significant contributing factor in the secondary school teacher's attitude as a function of selected demographics. Secondary school teachers appear to possess a low level of knowledge concerning both the problem of adolescent suicide and the potential for teacher intervention, and they exhibit a range of predominantly negative attitudes toward the problem of adolescent suicide. However, the teachers appear to possess a tenuously positive attitude toward the potential for teacher intervention.

M.Ed. / The increase in suicides and suicide attempts by adolescents makes it essential that the subject be looked into intensively as to why these increases occur and how the problem can be identified and prevented. The suicide problem can be traced back to the disintegration of inter-personal communication, either in the family, peergroup or society. In consequence it is apparent that parents, teachers and the community should listen more intensively, actively and with empathy to the problem. The problem is that the "distress call" is sometimes ignored. On account of these different "calls for help" not being heard, it is clear why the futile "why" questions are asked afterwards by the people left behind' after a suicide has been committed, and when it is too late to prevent. Since the problem of suicide and suicide attempts affect our society in so many sectors, the data regarding this phenomenon has been obtained from several sources. The method used in obtaining the necessary information is binary of nature. On the one hand it consists of an intensive literature study of the subject and on the other hand an empirical investigation through questioning as technique. As per De Groot (1961: 29) the present investigation may be described as explorative research, but in terms of Helmstadter's theory (1970: 31-32), as implemented, it is library-scouting and field research. The literature study covers the occurrence of suicide and suicide attempts within the society with special emphasis on the adolescent. The study also covers the causes thereof and how suicide and suicide attempts are embedded in society, taking into account the adolescent's relationship with parents, siblings (family), schools, the peergroup, the community and the society at large. This report is an attempt to view the problem of suicide and suicide attempts of adolescents from a sociopedagogical perspective. The empirical component of the research includes, firstly interviews with concerned parties of actual suicide cases and secondly the studying of police and hospital documents and files of actual suicide cases and suicide attempts. As a result of this research the following emerged: in the case of the majority of adolescents who commit suicide three dominating feelings are present, namely uselessness, despair and depression. Linked with these three dominating feelings the lack of communication is a major problem that faces the suicidal adolescent. Persons with suicidal tendencies are of a negative nature towards themselves and others and non-committal to life in general, resulting in disturbed relations with fellow man. It is necessary that pedagogical assistance and guidance must be intensive, active and empathetic : "Suicide prevention in adolescence is probably best served by general care, tenderness, understanding and support for all unhappy adolescents, rather than searching for suicide specific predictor traits All unhappy adolescents should arise within us the fear of possible self initiated death". (Davis, 1983: 55.)

The main purpose of this study was to develop a more complete understanding of the deeply situated, ethical and political character of suicide prevention program planning practice through the analysis of everyday narratives or "practice stories." By offering an in-depth view of program planning practice - based on the retrospective analysis of a national conference planning process - this study provides an ideal opportunity for learning about "what matters most" when multiple interest groups come together to plan new programs. Three broad research questions provide the focus for this study: What are the diverse personal and professional understandings that stakeholders bring to the work of suicide prevention? How do these various identities and roles get enacted through language? What are the implications that these various understandings and multiple discourses have for shaping subsequent program planning experiences, decisions and actions? Using an open-ended interview structure, nine conference planning committee members were invited to reflect on their own experiences at the planning table. My own storied account of our planning experience is presented alongside the observations and stories of my planning colleagues. Thus, the varied perspectives of different planning partners and stakeholders are represented in their own words and are woven into an unfolding and textured narrative about planning practice in the mental health field. Several important findings emerged which have relevance for the future study and practice of program planning. First, there was a clear privileging of professional knowledge and interests at our planning table. Second, the tasks of problem framing and discourse shaping are key functions that planners need to bring conscientious attention to in order to advance the overall planning agenda. Finally, critical listening, emotion, empathy, and care are important elements of communication and meaning making and I have argued that these relational attributes should be explicitly cultivated and nurtured at the planning table. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate