Identifying the affecting factors in adolescents who attempt suicide

Abstract

Aim: Suicides and suicide attempts in adolescents are important public health concerns increasing day by day. The most effective way of preventing suicides is to identify risk factors and take necessary measures before the suicidal behavior turns into action. This study is of descriptive type. It was performed in a Children's Hospital in Ankara aiming to identify the risk factors of committing a suicide in adolescents between 13 and 18 years of age, who carried out a suicidal attempt. Material and Method: There are two groups within the study. These are the suicidal attempt group and the comparing group. The data were collected through the "Data Collecting Form". Statistical analyses were performed using the software SPSS package program (SPSS for Windows, Version 25.0, IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, United States). Results: The adolescents, who have a good relationship with parents, who have a good relationship with friends, whose opinion is asked for about family decisions, and whose mother and father live in the same house have less tendency and risk for committing suicide (p<0.05). Discussion: The reason of suicide attempts is mostly familial factors. Risk screening for suicide attempt in adolescents should be carried out particularly at schools, courses, adolescent clinics, and services. Those in the risk group should also be consulted for professional support in an early period.