%0 Journal Article %T Suicidality in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: the role of family and cultural influences %J Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology %D 2009 %A Chan, Wincy S. C. %A Law, Chi-Kin %A Liu, Ka-Yuet %A Wong, Paul W. C. %A Law, Yik-wa %A Yip, Paul S. F. %V 44 %N 4 %P 278-284 %X BACKGROUND: Adolescent suicidal ideation has found to predict suicidal behaviors and psychopathology in adulthood. Previous studies focused solely on the medical and environmental risk factors, which were insufficient to give a holistic picture of adolescent suicidality. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of affective and cognitive attributes in the identification and prevention of adolescent suicidal ideation. METHOD: A community sample of 511 participants (age 15-19 years) were asked to indicate their suicidality in the 12 months and in their lifetime. Generalized estimating equation regression models were used to examine the effect of psychosocial and socio-environmental correlates in relation to adolescent suicidal ideation. RESULTS: The data show that perceived responsibilities for family was the only protective factor, while a coping mechanism by behavioral disengagement, severity of depressive symptoms, a history of deliberate self-harm, chronic physical illness or pain, media reporting of suicide news, and low household income were the risk factors for adolescent suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a multilayer effort for preventing adolescent suicide is needed by providing support for children in deprived families; enhancing life skills in the teens; strengthening family relationship; improving mental and health services; and promoting responsible media reporting on suicide.

Language: en

%G en %I Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group %@ 0933-7954 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0434-x