Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Psychosocial Factors and Suicidal Behaviour in Adolescents

  • Chapter
Promoting Psychological Well-Being in Children and Families

  • 580 Accesses

Abstract

Suicides as well as suicidal behaviours are considered to be one of the main health problems in the world, rated as the second most common cause of death among young people globally and the 15th leading cause of death worldwide among all populations (World Health Organization, 2012). According to statistical data and epidemiological reports, in Europe suicide is the second leading cause of death among people 15 to 29 years old (Blum & Nelson-Mmari, 2004), while in a study by Kokkevi, Rotsika, Arapaki, and Richardson (2011) among Greek adolescents throughout a period of 23 years (1984–2007), self-reported suicide attempts doubled in prevalence from 7.0% to 13.4%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adlaf, M.E. (1999). A cluster-analytic study of substance problems and mental health among street youths. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 25, 639–660.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Afifi, T.O., Cox, J.B., & Katz, Y.L. (2007). The associations between health risk behaviours and suicidal ideation and attempts in a nationally representative sample of young adolescents. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52, 666–674.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Agerbo, E., Nordentoft, M., & Mortensen, P.B. (2002). Familial, psychiatric, and socioe-conomic risk factors for suicide in young people: nested case-control study. British Medical Journal, 325, 74–79.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, D., & Fortune, S. (2008). Understanding self-harm and suicide websites: a qualitative interview study of young adult website users. Crisis, 29, 118–122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, R.W., & Nelson-Mmari, K. (2004). The health of young people in a global context. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35, 402–418.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bokszczanin, A. (2008). Parental support, family conflict, and overprotectiveness: predicting PTSD symptom levels of adolescents 28 months after a natural disaster. Anxiety, Stress & Coping: An International Journal, 21, 325–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. (2002). Self harm and suicide risk for same-sex attracted young people: a family perspective. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 1, 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cash, J.S., Thelwall, M., Peck, N.S., Ferrell, Z.J., & Bridge, A.J. (2013). Adolescent suicide statements on MySpace. Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking, 16, 166–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y.-Y., Liao, S.-F., Teng, P.-R., Tsai, C.-W., Fan, H.-F., Lee, W.-C., & Cheng, T.-A. (2012). The impact of media reporting of the suicide of a singer on suicide rated in Tai wan. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47, 215–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, D.T. Y., Wong, C.W.P., Lee, M.A., Lam, H.T., Fan, S.S.Y., & Yip, F.S.P. (2013). Non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behaviour: prevalence, co-occurrence, and correlates of suicide among adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 48, 1133–1144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen, E., & Larsen, J.K. (2012). Young people’s risk of suicide attempts after contact with a psychiatric department — a nested case-control design using Danish register data. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 16–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, W., Taggart, L., & Milner, S. (2010). Looked after or overlooked? An exploratory investigation of the mental health issues of adolescents living in state care in Northern Ireland. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 15, 497–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cui, S., Cheng, Y., Xu, Z., Chen, D., & Wang, Y. (2010). Peer relationships and suicide ideation and attempts among Chinese adolescents. Child: Care, Health and Development, 37, 692–702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durkee, T., Hadlaczky, G., Westerlund, M., & Carli, V. (2011). Internet pathways in suicidality: a review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8, 3938–3952.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Eskin, M., Ertekin, K., & Demir, H. (2008). Efficacy of a problem-solving therapy for depression and suicide potential in adolescents and young adults. Cognitive Therapy & Research, 32, 227–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eskin, M. (2012). Problem Solving Therapy in the Clinical Practice. Elsevier Insights. New York, Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fotti, S.A., Katz, L.Y., Afifi, T.O., & Cox, B.J. (2006). The associations between peer and parental relationships and suicidal behaviours in early adolescents. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 698–703.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fedyszyn, E.I., Harris, G.M., Robinson, J., Edwards, J., & Paxton, J.S. (2011). Characteristics of suicide attempts in young people undergoing treatment for first episode psychosis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45, 838–845.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldston, D.B., Molock, D.S., Whitbeck, B.L., Murakami, L.J., Zayas, H.L., & Nagayama Hall, G.C. (2008). Cultural considerations in adolescent suicide prevention and psychosocial treatment. American Psychologist, 63, 14–31.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Goodkind, R.J., LaNoue, D.M., & Milford, J. (2010). Adaptation and implementation of cognitive behavioural intervention for trauma in schools with American Indian youth. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39, 858–872.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grover, E.K., Green, L.K., Pettit, W.J., Moneteith, L.L., Garza, J.M., & Venta, A. (2009). Problem solving moderates the effects of life events stress and chronic stress on suicidal behaviours in adolescence. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 1281–1290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hagihara, A., Abe, T., Omagari, M., Motoi, M., & Nabeshima, Y. (2014). The impact of newspaper reporting of hydrogen sulfide suicide on imitative suicide attempts in Japan. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 49, 221–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall-Lande, A. J., Eisenberg, E.M., Christenson, L.S., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (1997). Social isolation, psychological health, and protective factors in adolescence. Adolescence, 42, 265–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawton, K., Bergen, H., Kapur, N., Cooper, J., Steeg, S., Ness, J., & Waters, K. (2012). Repetition of self-harm and suicide following self-harm in children and adolescents: findings from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 121–1219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hepp, U., Stulz, N., Köppel-Unger, J., & Gross-Ajdacic, V. (2012). Methods of suicide used by children and adolescents. European Journal of Adolescent Psychiatry, 21, 67–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidaka, Y., Operario, D., Takenaka, M., Omori, S., Ichikawa, S., & Shirasaka, T. (2008). Attempted suicide and associated risk factors among youth in urban Japan. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 43, 752–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hung, N.C., & Rabin, A.L. (2009). Comprehending childhood bereavement by parental suicide: a critical review of research on outcomes, grief processes and interventions. Death Studies, 33, 781–814.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • International Society for the Study of Self-injury (2007). Definitional Issues Surrounding our Understanding of Self-injury. Conference proceedings from the annual meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamieniecki, G.W. (2001) Prevalence of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders among homeless youth in Australia: a comparative review. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 35, 352–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y.-S., Koh, Y.-J., & Leventhal, B. (2005). School bullying and suicidal risk in Korean middle school students. Pediatrics, 115, 357–363.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S.H., & Kim, S., H. (2008). Risk factors for suicide attempts among Korean adolescents. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 39, 221–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, A.C., Hill, M.R., Wynne, A.H., & Cunningham, M.R. (2012). Adolescent suicide risk screening: the effect of communication about type of follow-up on adolescents’ screening responses. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 41, 508–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klomek, A.B., Marrocco, F., Kleinman, M., Schonfeld, I.S., & Gould, M.S. (2007). Bullying, depression, and suicidality in adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46, 40–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokkevi, A., Rotsika, V., Arapaki, A., & Richardson, C. (2011). Increasing self-reported suicide attempts by adolescents in Greece between 1984 and 2007. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 46, 231–237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kokkevi, A., Rotsika, V., Arapaki, A., & Richardson, C. (2012a). Adolescents’ self-reported suicide attempts, self-harm thoughts and their correlates across 17 European countries. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 381–389.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kokkevi, A., Richardson, C., Olszewski, D., Matias, J., Monshouwer, K., & Bjarnason, T. (2012b). Multiple substance use and self-reported suicide attempts by adolescents in 16 European countries. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 21, 443–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kretschmar, J., Butcher, F., & Flannery, D. (2014). Aspects of bullying and its relationship to suicide. In: M. Van Dulmen, R. Bossarte & M. Swahn (eds), Developmental and Public Health Perspectives on Suicide Prevention: An Integrated Approach, pp.58–83. Kent, OH: Kent State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuba, T., Yakushi, T., Fukuhara, H., Nakamoto, Y., Singeo, S.T.S., Tanaka, O., & Kondo, T. (2011). Suicide-related events among child and adolescent patients during shortterm antidepressant therapy. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 65, 239–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhlberg, A.J., Pena, B.J., & Zayas, H.L. (2010). Familism, parent-adolescent conflict, self-esteem, internalizing behaviours and suicide attempts among adolescent Latinas. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 41, 425–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson, B., & Ivarsson, T. (1998). Clinical characteristics of adolescent psychiatric inpatients who have attempted suicide. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 7, 201–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P.M., Rohde, P., & Seeley, J.R. (1996). Adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts: prevalence, risk factors, and clinical implications. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 3, 25–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutwak, N., Dill, C., & Saliba, A. (2013). Dating violence must be addressed in the public health forum. Journal of Women’s Health, 22, 393–394.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luxton, D.D., June, D.J., & Fairall, M.J. (2012). Social media and suicide: a public health perspective. American Journal of Public Health, 102, 195–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macedo, K.M. M., & Werlang, G.S.B. (2011). A case of trauma and attempted suicide in an adolescent patient. International Forum of Psychoanalysis, 20, 18–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madge, N., Hawton, K., McMahon, E.M., Corcoran, P., De Leo, D., de Wilde, E.J., Fekete, S., van Heeringen, K., Ystgaard, M., & Arensman, E. (2011). Psychological characteristics, stressful events and deliberate self-harm: findings from the Child & Adolescent Self-harm in Europe (CASE) Study. European Journal of Adolescent Psychiatry, 20, 499–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madianos, G.M., & Koukia, E. (2010). Trauma and natural disaster: the case of earthquakes in Greece. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 15, 138–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, G., Gozanes, P., Pearce, C., & Allison, S. (1995). Adolescent suicide, depression and family dysfunction. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 92, 336–344.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, B.A., Esposito-Smythers, C., Weismoore, T.J., & Renshaw, D.K. (2013). The relation between child maltreatment and adolescent suicidal behaviour: a systematic review and critical examination of the literature. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16, 146–172.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Muehlenkamp, J.J., Ertelt, W.T., Miller, L.A., & Claes, L. (2011). Borderline personality symptoms differentiate non-suicidal and suicidal self-injury in ethnically diverse adolescent outpatients. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52, 148–155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C.I., Toth, K., & Clinkinbeard, S. (2005). Death, dying and grief. In: P.C. McKenry & S. Price (eds), Families and change: Coping With Stressful Events, 3rd edition, pp. 75–102. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nrugham, L., Herrestad, H., & Mehlum, L. (2010). Suicidality among Norwegian youth: review of research on risk factors and interventions. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 64, 317–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oldershaw, A., Grima, E., Jollant, B., Richards, C., Simic, M., Taylor, L., & Schimdt, U. (2009). Decision making and problem solving in adolescents who deliberately self-harm. Psychological Medicine, 39, 95–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Osman, A., Gutierrez, M.P., Brrios, X.F., Bagge, L.C., Kopper, A.B., & Linden, S. (2005). The inventory of suicide orientation-30: further validation with adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61, 481–497.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ougrin, D. (2012). Commentary: self-harm in adolescents: the best predictor of death by suicide? — reflections on Hawton et al. (2012). Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 1220–1221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park, H.J., Yoo, J.-H., & Kim, H.S. (2013). Associations between non-restorative sleep, short sleep duration and suicidality: findings from a representative sample of Korean adolescents. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 67, 28–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pena, B.J., Matthieu, M.M., Zayas, H.L., Masyn, E.K., & Caine, D.E. (2012). Co-occurring risk behaviours among White, Black, and Hispanic US high school adolescents with suicide attempts requiring medical attention, 1999–2007: implications for future prevention initiatives. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47, 29–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plener, L.P., Singer, H., & Goldbeck, L. (2011). Traumatic events and suicidality in a German adolescent community sample. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24, 121–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pompili, M., Vichi, M., de Leo, D., Pfeffer, C., & Girardi, P. (2012a). A longitudinal epidemiological comparison of suicide and other causes of death in Italian children and adolescents. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 21, 111–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pompili, M., Serafini, G., Innamorati, M., Biondi, S., Siracusano, A., di Giannantonio, M., Giupponi, M., Amore, M., Lester, D., Girardi, P., & Leimkühler-Möller, A.M. (2012b). Substance abuse and suicide risk among adolescents. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 262, 469–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, D.C., & Groze, K.V. (1994). Risk factors for suicide among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths. Social Work, 39, 504–513.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quin, P., Agerbo, E., & Mortensen, B.P. (2005). Factors contributing to suicide: The epidemiological evidence form large-scale registers. In: K. Hawton (eds), Prevention and Treatment of Suicidal Behaviour: From Science to Practice, pp.11–28. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Renaud, J., Berlim, T. M., Begolli, M., McGirr, A., & Turecki, G. (2010). Sexual orientation and gender identity in youth suicide victims: an exploratory study. The Canadian journal of Psychiatry, 55, 29–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, E.A., Khan, S., Boyle, H.M., Tommyr, L., Wekerle, C., Goodman, D., Bethell, J., Leslie, B., Lu, H., & Manion, I. (2013). Sex differences in suicides among children and youth: the potential impact of help-seeking behaviour. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 58, 274–282.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, T.S., & Joyner, K. (2001). Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1276–1281.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, C., Russell, T.S., Huebner, D., Diaz, R., & Sanchez, J. (2010). Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23, 205–213.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, P.R., Baker, J., Cait, C.-A., & Boerner, K. (2002–2003). The effects of negative legacies on the adjustment of parentally bereaved children and adolescents. Omega: The Journal of Death and Dying, 46, 335–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Speckens, A.E. M., & Hawton, K. (2005). Social problem solving in adolescents with suicidal behaviour: a systematic review. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviour, 35, 365–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, D.B., Kataoka, H.S., Hamilton, B.A., Schultz, D., Ryan, G., Vona, P., & Wong, M. (2010). School personnel perspectives on their school’s implementation of a school-based suicide prevention program. Journal of Behavioural Health Services & Research, 37, 338–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szumilas, M., & Kutcher, S. (2009). Teen suicide information on the internet: a systematic quality analysis. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 54, 596–604.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, T.C., Yen, C.F., Cheng, C.P., Yang, P., Chen, C.S., Yang, R.C., Huang, M.S., Jong, J.Y., & Yu, S.H. (2010). Suicide risk and its correlate in adolescents who experienced typhoon-induced mudslides: a structural equation model. Depression and Anxiety, 27, 1143–1148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tikkanen, V., Alaräisänen, A., Hakko, H., Räsänen, P., Riala, K., & the Study-70 Workgroup. (2009). Psychotic boys performing well in school are at increased risk of suicidal ideation. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 63, 30–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Timmons, A.K., Selby, A.E., Lewinsohn, P.P., & Joiner, E.T. (2011). Parental displacement and adolescent suicidality: exploring the role of failed belonging. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 40, 807–817.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Unger, J.B., Kipke, M.D., Simon, T.R., Montgomery, S.B., & Johnson, C.J. (1997). Homeless youths and young adults in Los Angeles: prevalence of mental health problems and the relationship between mental health and substance abuse disorders. American Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 371–394.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Venta, A., Mellick, W., Schatte, D., & Sharp, C. (2014). Preliminary evidence that thoughts of thwarted belongingness mediate the relations between level of attachment insecurity and depression and suicide-related thoughts in inpatient adolescents. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33, 428–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. R, Ashby, J., Hoskins, D.O., & Greene, N.F. (2009). Peer-support suicide prevention in a non-metropolitan U.S. community. Adolescence, 44, 335–346.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warheit, J.G, Zimmerman, S.R., Khoury, L.E., Vega, A.W., & Gil, G.A. (1996). Disaster related stresses, depressive signs and symptoms, and suicidal ideation among a multi-racial/ethnic sample of adolescents: a longitudinal analysis. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 37, 435–444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Windfuhr, K., While, D., Hunt, I., Turnbull, P., Lowe, R., Burns, J., Swinson, N., Shaw, J., Appleby, L., Kapur, N., & the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness. (2008). Suicide in juveniles and adolescents in the United Kingdom. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 1155–1165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2002). World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva, Switzerland: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organisation. (2012). Mental health: Suicide data. http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/ (downloaded March 2015).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyman, P.A., Hendricks Brown, C., Lo, M.M., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Petrova, M., Yu, Q., Walsch, E., Tu, X., & Wang, W. (2010). An outcome evaluation of sources of strength suicide prevention program delivered by adolescent peer leaders in high schools. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 1653–1661.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S. (2012). A life history of a Korean adolescent girl who attempted suicide. Death Studies, 36, 253–269.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yen, F.-C. (2010). School bullying and mental health in children and adolescents. Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry (Taipei), 24, 3–13.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Alexander-Stamatios Antoniou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eftychia Mitsopoulou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. George P. Chrousos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre for the Study of Occupational and Mental Health, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Bruce Kirkcaldy (Director) (Director)

Copyright information

© 2015 Alexander-Stamatios Antoniou, Eftychia Mitsopoulou, and George P. Chrousos

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Antoniou, AS., Mitsopoulou, E., Chrousos, G.P. (2015). Psychosocial Factors and Suicidal Behaviour in Adolescents. In: Kirkcaldy, B. (eds) Promoting Psychological Well-Being in Children and Families. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137479969_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation