Suicidal ideation and attempts in adolescents: associations with depression and six domains of self-esteem.
This study aimed to disentangle the influence of depression and self-esteem on suicidal behaviour in adolescence. Grades 8 and 11 students in Cape Town, South Africa (n = 939) completed questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation and behaviour, depression, and self-esteem with respect to family, peers, school, sports/athletics, body image and global self-worth. Data were analysed using a series of multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for gender, grade, race and the sampling strategy. Results indicated that depression and low self-esteem in the family context were independently associated with suicide ideation and attempts. Moreover, low family self-esteem significantly differentiated suicide attempters from ideators. Screening for depression and low self-esteem in the family context is discussed as a possible strategy for helping to identify adolescents at risk for suicide attempts.
Wild
Lauren G
LG
Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701 South Africa. lwild@humanities.uct.ac.za
Flisher
Alan J
AJ
Lombard
Carl
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003210:Concept Formation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires