622 – Suicidal Tendencies in a Community Sample of Adolescents in the Region of Prizren

Abstract

Introduction:

In many countries suicide is one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents. Identifying young people at risk and offering effective treatment is a major concern of mental health policies.

Objectives:

To look for the presence of suicidal thinking, plans and attempts in adolescents.

Aims:

Measure the presence of suicidal tendencies having in mind possible correlation with psychological difficulties (measured by SDQ), level of depression, hopelessness and self-esteem of adolescents in one school sample.

Methods:

The sample of adolescents at school have been offered to fill out CESD, Hopelessness scale for children, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, SDQ questionnaire and four item adopted questions about suicidal tendencies. All data has been analyzed by SPSS 14.0.

Results:

In the sample of 768 adolescents (12-20yr, mean Age=17, 52) 22, 1% of them declared suicidal thinking, 3, 9% planed and 2, 2% attempted. About third of them didn’t find any reason for these tendencies. Females showed more suicidal tendencies but significantly only for thinking. Tobacco, alcohol and marihuana users have significantly more suicidality. Youths who declared more test anxiety have significantly more suicidal thinking. Significantly association is found between suicidal tendencies and psychological difficulties (emotional, conduct, hyperactivity and peers problems). Depression and high hopelessness also have significances. Suicidality is significantly higher in youths with normal self-esteem.

Conclusions:

Suicidality is much presented in our sample and showed significantly association with substance use, psychological difficulties, hopelessness, depression and normal self-esteem.