Roles of protective factors and risk factors in suicidal ideation among adolescents in Taiwan

Abstract

Objective To examine the role of protective factors and risk factors in suicidal ideation among adolescents in Taiwan based on a resilience protective model. Design and Sample A cross‐sectional design was employed. A total of 390 adolescents aged 15–19 years were recruited from four high schools in Taiwan by stratified random sampling. Methods An anonymous self‐report questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, life stress, emotion‐focused coping, self‐esteem, and problem‐focused coping. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. Results Depressive symptoms were significantly and positively correlated with suicidal ideation. The interaction between depressive symptoms and self‐esteem as well as between emotion‐focused coping and problem‐focused coping were significantly and negatively correlated with suicidal ideation. Conclusions Depressive symptoms were a risk factor of suicidal ideation. Self‐esteem can moderate the negative effect of depressive symptoms on suicidal ideation. Problem‐focused coping can moderate the negative effects of emotion‐focused coping on suicidal ideation. Public health nurses could cooperate with school nurses to periodically screen depressive symptoms and provide early interventions. Teaching parents and teachers methods for improving self‐esteem of adolescents and enhancing adolescents to apply problem‐focused coping strategies could be useful to reduce suicidal ideation of adolescents.

Development of a Checklist for Predicting Suicidality Based on Risk and Protective Factors: The Gwangju Checklist for Evaluation of Suicidality

“…Life stress is associated with the onset of depression and suicide ideation; however, the ability to cope plays a mediating role. 109,110 People who have attempted suicide tend to have less useful coping strategies, such as avoidance. 111,112 Problemfocused active coping strategies, in contrast, may protect against suicidality.…”

Sex Differences in the Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Adolescent Patients with Depression in a Large Sample of Chinese

“…Several studies from different populations have shown that sleep problems are related to suicidal ideation [17,18]. Stressful life events are associated with increased suicidal ideation in adolescents [19,20].…”

Psychosocial suicide risk factors

“…Among the most critical risk factors for suicidal behaviors are physical and mental illnesses (13). More specifically, mood disorders (14) such as depression (15)(16)(17), and bipolar disorder (5) and others such as anxiety and psychological distress (16,(18)(19)(20), substance use disorders (21,22), borderline personality disorder (9), psychotic disorders (5) to name a few.…”