Factors Influencing Suicide Ideation among Adolescents

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify variables influencing suicide ideation among adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected from 235 middle school students in Chungbuk Province from April to September 2007. We used the Korean versions of Reynold's Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, Children's Depression Inventory and Conners-Wells' Adolescent Scale, Beck's Hopelessness Scale and Internet Addiction Scale-K for measuring the research variables. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 23.0% were classified into the risk group of suicide ideation. Overall, the score of the suicide ideation scale was 14.25 (+/-16.38). The score of the suicide ideation scale in female adolescents (17.45+/-19.04) was significantly higher than that in male ones (11.17+/-12.65). Depression was a major predictor of suicide ideation. ADHD, gender, internet addiction, and hopelessness were the other significant predictors of suicide ideation. CONCLUSION: A strategy for school mental health education should be provided in order to prevent suicide ideation. The function of school health and Mental Health Center should be reinforced in terms of organization and staff personnel.