Citation

Sitnik-Warchulska K, Izydorczyk B. J. Clin. Nurs. 2019; 28(3-4): 469-479.

Affiliation

Institute of Applied Psychology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Łojasiewicza 4, 30-348, Kraków, Poland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jocn.14623

PMID

29987854

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To verify the existence of psychic readiness for destruction among adolescent girls, and to determine how psychic readiness for destruction is related to suicidal or violent behavior in adolescence.

BACKGROUND: The psychic readiness for destruction can be treated as a generalized tendency (personality disposition) to behave in a way that increases the probability of negative consequences which directly and indirectly threaten one's life, health and its quality.

DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS: The study involved 140 participants, aged 13-17, including 40 girls after suicide attempts (GS group), 40 girls using violence against others (GA group) and 60 girls without destructive behavior at all (CG group). To measure psychic readiness for destruction, the Polish adaptation of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CSDS) by Kelly was used.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the GS group and GA group. A significant difference was found between the girls who engage in interpersonal violence (GA) and the control group (CG). In this case the results showed a significantly higher score among those participants who were involved in extremely aggressive behaviors. A similar trend was also observed when comparing the group of girls who attempted suicide (GS) with the control group (CG).

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the conducted analyses, a clear trend was observed in consistency of destructive behaviors (tendency for destruction) - both active (seeking to violate norms, risky behaviors) and passive (omission, neglect) among the girls from both groups indicating even a single act of this kind (no significant differences between the groups). RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Due to the complex nature of readiness for destruction and its negative consequences on health, it is imperative to investigate the risk factors for the tendency for destruction, and to conduct health education among adolescents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescence; aggressive behavior; girls; interpersonal violence; psychic readiness; self-destructive behavior; suicide attempt