Attitudes Toward Suicide in Middle-School Students

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine attitudes of middle-school students toward happiness, suicide, and factors associated with suicide. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was used in a cluster sample of 1,319 middle-school students (male 793, female 526). Data were obtained on a wide range of constructs regarding their attitude towards happiness, suicidal ideation and attempts, and factors associated with suicide. RESULTS: Middle-school students choose 'love within family' as most important factor for their happiness. Subjective mental health status was mostly associated with happiness. Subjects in lower socioeconomic status tended to respond their mental health status was not good and have more suicidal idea. 48.7% of subjects had permissive attitudes toward suicide, especially, girls. However, 65.0% responded that suicide was preventable problem. Compared to older people, middle-school students perceived that environmental factors were more important than innate and personal factors for suicide. CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that middle-school students have permissive attitudes toward suicide, but positive attitudes for the prevention of suicide. This suggest that education in these age group could be effective for the prevention of suicide. Also, approaches to suicide prevention programs should be developed based on the family intervention. Especially, we should care about girls and adolescents in lower socioeconomic status.