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Values, economic estimations, and suicide intent
1Institute of Economic and Social Psychology, University of Göttingen, West Germany.
Crisis
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Student suicide risk is linked to value preferences, personality, and future economic outlook. Understanding these factors can help predict and prevent suicide attempts in young adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Student populations face unique suicide risks.
- Assessing suicidality requires multifaceted criteria.
- Existing risk assessment tools may need refinement for student demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of suicidality among students.
- To analyze the relationship between value preferences, personality, and future outlook with suicide risk.
- To investigate factors contributing to suicide ideas, past attempts, and therapist prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Multiple regression analysis was employed.
- Data collected from 300 students at a therapeutic counseling center.
- Predictors included sociobiography, personality tests (Giessen-Test, Hope Scale), economic estimations, and value preferences (idealistic vs. materialistic).
Main Results:
- Predictors explained 35% to 54% of the variance in suicidality criteria.
- Value preferences significantly predicted suicide ideas.
- Personality and future perspectives were equally weighted for former suicide attempts.
- Therapist prognosis was influenced by personality, value denial, and employment outlook.
Conclusions:
- Student suicidality is influenced by a complex interplay of personal values, personality traits, and socioeconomic expectations.
- Understanding these specific predictors can inform targeted interventions for student mental health.
- Further research into the societal-individual value gap is warranted for suicide prevention strategies.