[Suicidal behaviors and correlated psychological factors in secondary school students]

To investigate the prevalence of suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempts in middle school students in Hefei, Anhui province, and to determine correlated factors.

The investigation was administered to 3127 middle school students from 7 schools in Hefei, Anhui province. All participants completed an anonymous questionnaire concerning their experiences with specific suicide behaviors during the 12 months preceding the survey. School life satisfaction, coping style were evaluated by School Life Satisfaction Rating Questionnaire for Adolescent and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, respectively. Chi-squared test was used to assess gender difference of suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt. Logistic regression analyses were applied to identify factors associated with adolescent suicide behaviors.

Of the subjects investigated, 28.0 percent had thought seriously about attempting suicide, 11.9 percent had made a specific plan to attempt suicide, and 4.0 percent actually had attempted suicide. It was found that main risk factors among three specific suicide behaviors were related to negative coping style. School life satisfaction was protecting factor of suicide ideation and suicide attempt.

It was suggested that focusing on these psychosocial factors would help enhance suicide assessment and prevention efforts with adolescents.