Self-esteem deficits and suicidal tendencies among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Self-esteem can play an important role in suicidal tendencies among adolescents. The present study was designed to examine the relationship between self-esteem deficits and suicidal tendencies in 254 adolescent psychiatric inpatients and 288 high school students.


METHODS
The direct relationship between self-esteem and suicidal tendencies was examined by assessing suicidal ideation and history of suicide attempts. An indirect relationship between self-esteem and suicidality was examined by assessing depression and hopelessness.


RESULTS
Differences were found across gender and hospitalization status, with males reporting higher self-esteem than females and high school students scoring higher in self-esteem than psychiatric inpatients. However, correlations among variables remained similar across gender and hospitalization status. Thus, low self-esteem was related to higher levels of depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and an increased likelihood of having previously attempted suicide. Furthermore, self-esteem added to the understanding of suicidal ideation beyond what could be explained by depression and hopelessness.


CONCLUSIONS
Low self-esteem was closely related to feelings of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal tendencies. Assessment of adolescents should include an evaluation of self-esteem, and therapy should attempt to address any self-esteem deficits.
Overholser
J C
JC
Psychology Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7123, USA.
Adams
D M
DM
Lehnert
K L
KL
Brinkman
D C
DC
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010553:Personality Development; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention