A Meta-Analysis of Variables Related to Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was done using meta-analysis to examine 58 studies from studies published in the past eight years (2000 to 2007) that included variables related to adolescents' suicidal ideation. METHODS: The materials for this study were based on 32 variables which were selected from masters' thesis, doctoral dissertation and articles from Journals of the Korean Academy of Nursing. RESULTS: The classification consisted of 5 variables groups and 32 variables. In terms of effect size on risk, variables which were significant included psychological variables (0.668), socio-cultural variables (0.511), family environmental variables (0.405), school environmental variables (0.221), and personal characteristics variables (0.147). In terms of effect size on protection, variables which were significant included personal characteristics variables (-1.107), psychological variables (-0.526), family environmental variables (-0.264), and school environmental variables (-0.155). In terms of effect size on risk variables, psychological variables (0.668) were highest. In terms of effect size on protective variables, the variable of personal characteristic (-1.107) was the highest. CONCLUSION: While the results indicate possible risk and protective variables for suicidal ideation, but prediction is still difficult. Further study to compare adolescents with similar variables but no suicidal ideation and those with suicidal ideation is necessary.