Profile of suicidal behavior among secondary school adolescents in Giza governorate

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research is to study suicidal behavior and to identify suicidal risk factors among Egyptian school adolescents. 303 secondary school students attending three secondary school at El Haram District, Giza Governorate were randomly selected. Suicide probability Scale [SPS] that assesses suicide risk in adolescents was used. Results elaborated that suicidal probability was distributed as sub clinical [n=91, 30.3%], mild [n=128, 42.24%], moderate [n=57, 18.82%] and severe [n=27, 8.91%]. Perception of students to their home and school environment was a modulator in the distribution of students within the different SPS categories. Father- mother relationship [P=0.001], family size [P=0.011] and mother education [P=0.035] were among the factors significantly affecting that distribution. In the school environment, academic failure [P=0.008] and poor peer relationship [P=0.035] were concomitant with students' allocation in the moderate and severe suicidal probability. Moderate to severe suicidal probability was found among students perceiving themselves as suffering from psychological problems [P=0.001]. In the indepth interview with teachers they recommended to adopt interventions to Increase the opportunities that enhance the quality of youths' life and their expectations for a positive future. They agreed that most teachers would cooperate if there was organized educational opportunities on mental health issues. In depth interview with students revealed that they wish adults see them as individuals, not to alienate them from their identity by not allowing them the rights and responsibilities of adulthood, take their problems seriously, and stop dictating what they should do. Recommendations were set that school personnel must have the capacity of identifying and support distressed students and a mental health promotion approach through the curriculum should be encouraged