Abstract
BackgroundSuicide was an urgent issue during the pandemic period in adolescents. However, few studies were focused on suicide during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown.MethodsAn online survey was conducted among 5,175 Chinese adolescents from June 9th to 29th in 2020 to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. A gender-specific stepwise logistic regression model was used. All analyses were performed with STATA 15.0.ResultsAbout 3% of the participants had reported having SI during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. The prevalence of female SI (3.64%, 95% CI: 2.97–4.45%) was higher than that of males (2.39%, 95% CI: 1.88–3.05%) (χ2 = 6.87, p = 0.009). Quarreling with parents [odds ratio (OR) = 9.73, 95% CI: 5.38–17.59], insomnia (OR = 5.28, 95% CI: 2.81–9.93), previous suicide attempt history (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.69–8.03), previous SI history (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.30–6.06), and feeling depressed during pandemic lockdown (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.22–4.18) were positively associated with the males' SI. However, having emptiness inside (OR = 4.39, 95% CI: 2.19–8.79), quarreling with parents (OR = 3.72, 95% CI: 2.16–6.41), insomnia (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.85–5.80), feeling anxious (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.46–4.70), and longing for father's emotional warmth (OR = 0.38, 0.20–0.72) were associated mostly with females' SI.ConclusionsFemale adolescents, who felt emptiness from their families and their fathers' emotional warmth, were at much higher risk of having SI during COVID-19 lockdown. We must specify a suicide prevention policy and interventions for adolescents in the pandemic crisis based on gender gaps.
Highlights
Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 [1, 2], with a rate of 4.57 per 100,000 [3]
The prevalence of mental health problems has become much higher during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, including suicide issues [22–26]
With emptiness from father’s emotional warmth to the family, were at much higher risk of having SI during COVID-19 lockdown, while the male adolescents with feelings of depression, insomnia, quarreling with parents during COVID19, suicidal ideation, or attempt history might associate these with suicidal ideation during COVID-19
Summary
Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 [1, 2], with a rate of 4.57 per 100,000 [3]. A meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of SI was 28% in adolescents up to 25 years [5]. Factors such as negative life experiences (e.g., childhood abuse, bullying), unhealthy behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol abuse, poor parental relationships), psychological factors (e.g., low emotional support, low self-esteem, impulsivity), and physical illnesses (e.g., HIV, insomnia, chronic illness) could contribute to the occurrence of SI [6–16]. The prevalence of mental health problems has become much higher during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period, including suicide issues [22–26]. The influence of COVID-19 on suicidal ideation and the gender differences in adolescents have not been well-studied. Few studies were focused on suicide during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown
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