Parent-reported suicidal behavior and correlates among adolescents in China
Received 19 January 2007; received in revised form 5 April 2007; accepted 17 April 2007.
Abstract
Background
Suicidal risk begins to increase during adolescence and is associated with multiple biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. This study examined the prevalence and psychosocial factors of parent-reported suicidal behavior in Chinese adolescents.
Methods
A community sample of 1920 adolescents in China participated in an epidemiological study. Parents completed a structured questionnaire including child suicidal behavior, illness history, mental health problems, family history, parenting, and family environment. Multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis.
Results
Overall, 2.4% of the sample talked about suicide in the previous 6 months, 3.2% had deliberately hurt themselves or attempted suicide, and 5.1% had either suicidal talk or self-harm. The rate of suicidal behavior increased as adolescents aged. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the following factors were significantly associated with elevated risk for suicidal behavior: depressive/anxious symptoms, poor maternal health, family conflict, and physical punishment of parental discipline style.
Limitations
Suicidal behavior was reported by parents. No causal relationships could be made based on cross-sectional data.
Conclusions
The prevalence rate of parent-reported suicidal behavior is markedly lower than self-reported rate in previous research. Depressive/anxious symptoms and multiple family environmental factors are associated with suicidal behavior in Chinese adolescents.
aDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA, USA
bLinyi Mental Health Center, Linyi, People's Republic of China
cPrevention Research Center, Arizona State University, AZ, USA
Corresponding author. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 134 Webster Hall, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Tel.: +1 412 246 5723; fax: +1 412 246 5455.
ABSTRACT