Environmental Factors, Locus of Control, and Adolescent Suicide Risk

Abstract

This exploratory study seeks to better understand possible relationships between environmental factors, locus of control, and suicide risk among adolescents. The data derive from in-school surveys of eight-grade students conducted in 1998 and 1999 in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Wyoming. Results revealed higher levels of suicide risk were associated with a more external locus of control orientation. Relationships between suicide risk and several environmental factors and preferences also were found. Potential links between locus of control, environment, and suicide risk are discussed, as are implications for intervention efforts and future research.

Prevention, assessment and treatment of suicidal behavior. [Prevención, evaluación y tratamiento de la conducta suicida]

“…The suicide prevalence rates in Europe are found to be very high and, in general, are on the rise, especially among adolescents and young people aged between 13 and 35 years, which today is one of the high-risk groups (Eurostat, 2009;Evans, Owens and Marsh, 2005;O'Connell et al, 2004;WHO, 2010;Soler and Gascón, 2005;Stone et al, 2002). Moreover, this group is one of the most vulnerable to the influence of the different psychosocial factors that promote suicidal ideas and behaviors (Borrell et al, 2001;Evans, Owens and Marsh, 2005;Gould and Kramer, 2001;Gunnell, 2000;Hawton et al, 1998;Hean, 2008, WHO, 2003;Zonda, 2006).…”

“…Moreover, this group is one of the most vulnerable to the influence of the different psychosocial factors that promote suicidal ideas and behaviors (Borrell et al, 2001;Evans, Owens and Marsh, 2005;Gould and Kramer, 2001;Gunnell, 2000;Hawton et al, 1998;Hean, 2008, WHO, 2003;Zonda, 2006). A possible explanation resides in the numerous sources of stress associated with the significant physiological and physiosocial changes that go hand in hand with this stage of life, and which makes this population more vulnerable to these types of ideas than any other age group (Ruiz et al, 2005).…”

“…However, these actions do not seem to be enough, as there are other specific interventions that need to be undertaken with these people based on wellground research on the control of vulnerability and protective factors (Bandura, 1999;Beatriz, 2005;Rotter, 1975;Seligman, 1986). Thus, when putting in place a realistic intervention process for suicide attempters, the following two points are seen as necessary (Sánchez-Teruel, 2010): -To act upon those factors where the individual (and the professional) have some capacity to effect control and change (Evans, Owens and Marsh, 2005); -To consider suicidal behavior multidimensional in nature, and more than just a symptom of certain biopsychosocial alterations (Linehan, 2008).…”

“…An important study in the field of cognitive therapy was carried out by Chioqueta and Stiles in 2007, where they discovered that the cognitive content of a suicidal person"s belief system is different to a person who does not become suicidal, the main difference residing in the types of automatic negative thoughts that a person has in a moment of crisis, and where these thoughts are more closely related to death as a way out (Chioqueta and Stiles, 2007;Evans, Owens and Marsh, 2005;Ruiz, Navarro-Ruiz, Torrente and Rodríguez, 2005). That said, according to the authors, these results should be replicated, applying them to a clinical population and taking into account gender differences (man/woman) (Chioqueta and Stiles, 2007;Ruíz et al, 2005).…”

Carrying a Weapon to School

“…In particular, we were interested in assets in the family and school domain and how these assets perform in the presence of well-established risk factors for youth. One factor unexplored with weapon carrying that has received support for protecting against self-directed violence in youth is environmental control in the home (Evans, Owens, & Marsh, 2005). Environment can influence learning, behavior, and health-related outcomes (Bandura, 1986;Evans, 2004;Rutter et al, 1997).…”