An examination of the correlates of suicidal ideation and behaviour among a sample of high school students.

摘要

This quantitative-descriptive study examines the nature and prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviour among a sample of 293 adolescents in a Roman Catholic High School in Windsor, Ontario. The sample of 157 males and 136 females was demographically consistent with the overall school population and was representative of all grade levels. Subjects were divided into three mutually exclusive groups: Nonsuicidals, Suicidal Ideators, and Suicide Attempters. The variables under examination included demographics, depression, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and stressful life events. The results of this study indicate that 47% of the total sample reported some degree of suicidal behaviour. Suicide attempters were found to comprise 10% of the sample while 37% reported having considered suicide an option. The four measures; depression, suicidal ideation, hopelessness and stressful life events were found to differentiate between and within group differences. Finally, suicidal ideation scores, depression scores, alcohol usage and parentu27s marital status were revealed as the best predictors of suicidal ideation and behaviour in this sample of high school adolescents. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 31-03, page: 1087. Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1991.