According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is one of the three main causes of deaths in the age group 15 to 34 years. Persons who previously attempted to commit suicide are more inclined to succeed with a second attempt. With the eventual focus on suicide prevention by means of life guidance as an assistance strategy in social work, the researcher undertook qualitative exploration amongst a specific group of adolescent girls between ages 15 and 21 years. These girls were each admitted to hospital after having attempted to commit suicide. The researcher used semi–structured in–depth interviews as a qualitative data collection method until data saturation was reached. The investigation was discussed against the backdrop of the strength perspective, crisis intervention, the system theory and existentialism. A discussion was led in Article 1 about findings regarding the psychosocial needs of adolescent girls who displayed suicidal behaviour. From the interviews, three overarching needs were foregrounded, namely the need for love and acceptance, the need for communication and the need for a secure future. The psychosocial needs were subdivided into sub–themes, which were discussed respectively. In Article 2 a discussion followed regarding the findings in terms of the support systems adolescents possess. Life guidance was eventually based on the needs of adolescent girls, as identified in Article 1, and the involvement and responsibility of the support systems, as discussed in Article 2. The guidelines for life guidance, as set out in Article 3, serve as a guiding recommendation and framework for intervention programmes for adolescent girls who display suicidal behaviour, as well as for the support systems involved. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is one of the three main causes of deaths in the age group 15 to 34 years. Persons who previously attempted to commit suicide are more inclined to succeed with a second attempt. With the eventual focus on suicide prevention by means of life guidance as an assistance strategy in social work, the researcher undertook qualitative exploration amongst a specific group of adolescent girls between ages 15 and 21 years. These girls were each admitted to hospital after having attempted to commit suicide. The researcher used semi–structured in–depth interviews as a qualitative data collection method until data saturation was reached. The investigation was discussed against the backdrop of the strength perspective, crisis intervention, the system theory and existentialism. A discussion was led in Article 1 about findings regarding the psychosocial needs of adolescent girls who displayed suicidal behaviour. From the interviews, three overarching needs were foregrounded, namely the need for love and acceptance, the need for communication and the need for a secure future. The psychosocial needs were subdivided into sub–themes, which were discussed respectively. In Article 2 a discussion followed regarding the findings in terms of the support systems adolescents possess. Life guidance was eventually based on the needs of adolescent girls, as identified in Article 1, and the involvement and responsibility of the support systems, as discussed in Article 2. The guidelines for life guidance, as set out in Article 3, serve as a guiding recommendation and framework for intervention programmes for adolescent girls who display suicidal behaviour, as well as for the support systems involved. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Suicide and suicidal attempts have increased over the years and the phenomenon is rapidly increasing countrywide. The rate in increase has not been happe•ning only internationally, but has unsettlingly noted to be rising in South Africa, too. Suicidal attempt has become one of the biggest social problems amongst the youths, and a problem that society has to grapple with. According to the media and statistics presented, the youth engage with destructive behavior and attempted suicide is rampant amongst Black adolescents. The young person imitates his peers and is constantly under pressure to do as the group does. Thus conformity and acceptance are the core words. The adolescent attempts suicide to solve problems. Various reasons are given for suicidal attempts and the youth names amongst others family problems, academic issues, relationship problems and so forth. In the attempt to take own life. different methods are used to commit suicide which range from overdosage, especially amongst females, to ingestion of harmful substances like bleach (clothes detergent) and hair products. Amongst males, more drastic actions in method of attempting suicide are used like hanging, gunshot and jumping from high places like bridges and buildings. There are also instances of self-inflicted burning (immolation) in some cases. Black youths have been found in recent years to engage in suicide and suicidal tendencies, whereas in previous years the tendency was almost non-existent. This calls for an investigation in Black adolescents' way of life and specifically in what their needs are. The latter is drawn from the profile presented; a task which was not easy as there exist little or no literature in this regard. This study should thus be seen as a precursor for further and more comprehensive and exclusive research especially on the social functioning of Blacks and their communities, in general. The results should be used to have sustainable school programmes aimed at the youth in general, but specifically those at risk and displaying destructive behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Suicide and suicidal attempts have increased over the years and the phenomenon is rapidly increasing countrywide. The rate in increase has not been happe•ning only internationally, but has unsettlingly noted to be rising in South Africa, too. Suicidal attempt has become one of the biggest social problems amongst the youths, and a problem that society has to grapple with. According to the media and statistics presented, the youth engage with destructive behavior and attempted suicide is rampant amongst Black adolescents. The young person imitates his peers and is constantly under pressure to do as the group does. Thus conformity and acceptance are the core words. The adolescent attempts suicide to solve problems. Various reasons are given for suicidal attempts and the youth names amongst others family problems, academic issues, relationship problems and so forth. In the attempt to take own life. different methods are used to commit suicide which range from overdosage, especially amongst females, to ingestion of harmful substances like bleach (clothes detergent) and hair products. Amongst males, more drastic actions in method of attempting suicide are used like hanging, gunshot and jumping from high places like bridges and buildings. There are also instances of self-inflicted burning (immolation) in some cases. Black youths have been found in recent years to engage in suicide and suicidal tendencies, whereas in previous years the tendency was almost non-existent. This calls for an investigation in Black adolescents' way of life and specifically in what their needs are. The latter is drawn from the profile presented; a task which was not easy as there exist little or no literature in this regard. This study should thus be seen as a precursor for further and more comprehensive and exclusive research especially on the social functioning of Blacks and their communities, in general. The results should be used to have sustainable school programmes aimed at the youth in general, but specifically those at risk and displaying destructive behaviour. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The indirect victim's experience of suicide and the victimisation resulting from the incident was studied. The Indirect Victim's Experience Model of a Suicide Incident (see Figure 2.1) was designed as a theoretical framework to direct the research findings and for the interpretation of data. A qualitative exploratory approach was used and a group of 20 respondents was selected by means of purposive and snowball sampling methods. All the respondents were interviewed personally. The interpretation and analysis of the data showed that the assumptions based on Janoff-Bulman and Frieze's theory and certain societal myths regarding suicide still exist. These assumptions and myths could subconsciously have an influence on the nature and extent of the victimisation experienced by the next of kin. The respondents themselves accepted these assumptions and myths. Research findings further showed that these assumptions are affected upon receiving the news of the suicide, while myths are destroyed. This could have an influence on the victim's experience of suicide. Every indirect victim functions before, during and after the suicide incident within a specific family and social system. The way in which the indirect victim experiences the support and integration from within the family and social system, determines the acceptance or non-acceptance of the death by suicide of a significant other. This will also have an influence on the indirect victim's reintegration into society in the short and long term. The need of the indirect victim to be involved within a family and society was clearly identified during the study. These findings made it possible to make practical recommendations with regard to the indirect victim's experience of suicide. Society should be informed about the realities and results of suicide. In addition, these findings highlighted further areas for research. / Thesis (MA (Criminology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted