Citation

Stradomska M, Wolińska J, Marczak M. Psychiatr. Psychol. Klin. 2016; 16(3): 136-149.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Medical Communications)

DOI

10.15557/PiPK.2016.0019

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The paper brings together and summarizes the results of a study carried out in 2011-2015, aimed at analysing circumstances and reasons underlying adolescent suicidal attempts. Material and methods: The studied group comprised 115 patients hospitalised due to having attempted suicide, aged 13-19 years old, based in 3 voivodeships, namely the Świȩtokrzyskie Voivodeship, Lubelskie Voivodeship, and Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The results of the study have been subject to quantitative and qualitative analysis.

RESULTS: Our analysis has demonstrated that in the opinion of 95% of the patients another suicide previously committed in their environment inspired their own suicidal attempt. A significant proportion of the participants of the study (88%) claims suicidal behaviours in a person's environment to be conducive to similar behaviours not only in adolescents, but across all age groups alike. A majority of participants have admitted possessing a lack of sufficient knowledge concerning mental health and wellbeing. Nor do they receive effective help, feeling emotional distress, yet failing to meet with any response on the part of their relatives and friends, who seem not to take teenagers' psychological condition seriously. Suicidal and depressive disposition is commonly regarded as a sign of mere moodiness, fanciness, being spoilt, or being prone to playing practical jokes. According to the majority of the participants (71%), their relatives had directly influenced their decision to attempt suicide. As much as 88% of the responses provided in the study indicated causes stemming from inadequate communication. Teenagers' attempts to talk about death-related issues (suicidal issues) failed, not being met with understanding on the part of their parents and other caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for education, prophylaxis, and raising social awareness concerning the problem of suicides. Education on a broad scale is necessary to enable unobstructed access to important information, inter alia through cultural and social events, preventive campaigns, workshops, voluntary help, media etc. © Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; Prevention; human; Family; mental health; Suicide; Adolescents; Suicidal attempts; adolescence; depression; suicide attempt; wellbeing; major clinical study; environmental factor; emotion; emotional stress; mental health center; qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis; Article; structured interview