Attempt to End Life: a Prospective Study on The Risk Factors of Adolescent Suicide

Abstract

Globally, suicide is the second largest cause of death among 15-29 year olds (WHO, 2016). For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide. Despite the exponential rise in risk taking behavior among the teens of India, adolescent mental health is a neglected issue (Kanikar & Bansal, 2015). Suicides can be prevented if we identify the risk factors associated with it. With this objective, a prospective observational study design was followed to understand the risk factors leading to suicidal behavior among adolescents who were reportedly admitted to the Pediatric Ward of Ispat General Hospital of Rourkela city of India. Out of a total 88 attempted adolescent (10-19 years old) suicide cases during November 2015 to April 2017, 46.59% (n= 41) gave consent (parental and self) to participate in the study. The ages of the adolescents were 15.56±1.3 (Mean±SD) years. The number of males and females were 9 and 32 respectively. To identify the underlying psychological risk factors, participants were administered Barrat Impulsiveness Scale, KADS6, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Further, to identify environmental risk factors, questions related to pressures from parents, academics, romantic relationship break-up and peers were asked. A chi-square test of goodness-of-fit was performed to determine whether risk factors of adolescent suicide were equally contributing to the phenomenon. Socio-demographic factors like age, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 17.78, p <.01; sex, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 12.90, p <.01; socio-economic status, χ2 (3, N = 41) = 19.19, p <.01; and method of suicide, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 26,56, p <.01; psychological risk factors like impulsivity, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 26.56, p <.01; anxiety, χ2 (3, N = 41) = 44.36, p <.01; and environmental risk factors as a whole χ2 (1, N = 41) = 20.51, p <.01; and the components like parental pressure, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 5.48, p <.01; romantic relationship break-up pressure, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 20.51, p <.01; peer pressure, χ2 (1, N = 41) = 29.87, p <.01 were found to be significant risk factors of adolescent suicidal attempts. Contrary to the common beliefs, severity of depression and academic pressure were found to be non-significant risk factors. Adolescents in the age group of 15-19 years, more girls than boys and adolescents from low socio-economic status families have more suicidal attempts. The prevalent method of suicide was ingestion of poison. Impulsivity and anxiety but not depression as well as failure in romantic relationship and peer pressure pose higher risk for adolescents’ decision to end life.