title: Adolescents at risk: causes of youth suicide in New Zealand.
abstract: The New Zealand suicide rate among 15- to 19-year-olds has almost trebled over the past 20 years--from 5.8 per 100,000 in 1970 to 15.7 in 1991 (UNICEF, 1994). New Zealand has one of the highest teenage suicide rates among industrialized countries. The aim of this paper is to shed light on the causes of this phenomenon by examining environmental-social factors. Some of the problems New Zealand youth face are noted and their risk-taking behaviors explored. Findings are linked to current theory on adolescent suicide. How governmental agencies are addressing this problem is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Drummond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention