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Suicidal ideation among Viennese high school students
Kanita Dervic1, Türkan Akkaya-Kalayci, Nestor D Kapusta
1Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. kanita.dervic@meduniwien.ac.at
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|April 12, 2007
Summary
Suicidal thoughts are common in adolescents, affecting 37.9% of Viennese high school students. Female gender, substance use, and family structure are key risk factors for adolescent suicidal ideation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Suicidality, encompassing suicidal thoughts and acts, is a significant concern in youth.
- Adolescent suicidal ideation presents developmental challenges and necessitates research into contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation among high school students in Vienna.
- To identify psychosocial factors associated with suicidal ideation in this population.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous self-report survey was administered to 214 Viennese high school students (mean age 15.4 years).
- The survey assessed demographic data and major psychiatric risk factors for teenage suicide.
Main Results:
- 37.9% of students reported lifetime suicidal ideation, with higher prevalence in girls (48.5%) than boys (29.1%).
- Significant associations were found between suicidal ideation and broken homes, smoking, substance problems, depression, and school type.
- Adjusted analyses confirmed female gender, substance problems, school type, and smoking as significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Psychosocial factors linked to adolescent suicidal ideation demand attention for effective suicide prevention.
- Mental health promotion strategies should address identified risk factors in adolescent populations.
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