Analysis of the displays of suicidal behavior among Czech adolescents: risk factors for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts
Abstract
Objectives. The goal of this analysis was to model and estimate the impact of risk factors for various types of suicidal behavior (thoughts, plans, and attempts) in Czech adolescents.
Sample and settings. Data (N = 5999) were selected from the 2015 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), and included questions mapping relevant risk factors for suicidal behavior (including exposure to suicide reported in the media with interest in it and exposure to suicide of a loved one).
Analysis. Binary multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed models that were individually designed for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts (separately for boys and girls), and that detected risk factors for each expression of suicidal behavior with varying degrees of severity.
Each model was tested separately for boys and girls because of existing gender differences. We created a total of 9 models using SPSS 20 software.
Results. Analyses showed that the exposures are in addition to other selected risk indicators - daily smoking, satisfaction with a relationship to one's parents, and the suicide of a loved one - significant predictors of suicidal behaviors in adolescents.
Conclusions. With regard to the resulting risk factors it would be appropriate for the media in publishing suicides followed the manual concerning the prevention of suicide for journalist created by WHO and also to instruct adolescents in how to handle such information, for example through appropriate psychological and media education in school.