Citation

Din NC, Ibrahim N, Amit N, Kadir NBA, Halim MRTA. Malays. J. Med. Sci. 2018; 25(5): 140-150.

Affiliation

Centre of Human and Societal Well-being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia)

DOI

10.21315/mjms2018.25.5.13

PMID

30914870

PMCID

PMC6419889

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The rate of suicide ideation everywhere continues to increase, and adolescents are therefore at risk of displaying suicidal behaviour. This study examined the protective role of the reasons for living and coping strategies in reducing suicidal ideation among young adolescents in Malaysia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 176 adolescents aged between 13 and 19 years of age with the majority being Malay and Muslim. The Brief Reasons for Living for Adolescents (BRFL-A), Jalowiec Coping Scale and Suicide Ideation Scale were employed.

RESULTS: The results showed that the reasons for living and palliative coping strategy correlated negatively with suicide ideation; although, further analysis using multiple regression revealed that family alliance and optimistic and palliative coping strategies were found to be significant reasons for living that protect adolescents from suicidal thoughts. Also, those adolescents who used emotive and evasive coping strategies had higher suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION: Cultural and social values continue to play an important role in protecting adolescents in Malaysia from suicidal behaviour.

Language: en

Keywords

Malaysia; adolescents; coping skills; optimism; suicidal ideation