Abstract
PurposeThis study explored the extent to which trait aggression is associated with suicidal behavior in a nationwide school-based sample of adolescents.MethodsA nationwide sample of 14,537 high school students in urban areas of China was recruited. Information concerning suicide ideation, plans, attempts, trait aggression and other risk factors was collected by a self-reported questionnaire. Multivariate regression analyses were employed to predict suicidal behavior.ResultsApproximately 18.5% of students reported suicide ideation, 8.7% reported suicide plans, and 4.1% reported attempts during the past one year. Hostility and trait anger had a significant positive association with suicidal ideation. Hostility and physical aggression were positively related to suicide plans. Hostility had a positive correlation with suicide attempts, while trait anger was inversely associated with suicide attempts.ConclusionsThis study suggests that hostility, physical aggression and trait anger may be able to be used to predict suicidal behavior among adolescents. Suicide prevention programs should target at attenuating the severity of hostility, anger and physical aggression. But teachers and parents should also give close attention to students with low trait anger.
Highlights
Suicide and suicidal behavior are serious social and public problems in China and around the world, in children and adolescents [1]
The aim of the present study was to explore which forms of trait aggression were associated with suicidal behavior, as well as to reestimate the prevalence of suicide ideation, plans and attempts among adolescents of urban areas in China
As shown in the table, a gender difference was found in suicidal ideation but not in suicide plans and attempts
Summary
Suicide and suicidal behavior are serious social and public problems in China and around the world, in children and adolescents [1]. According to the 2004 World Health Organization (WHO) Mortality Database, the suicide rate of youth aged 15–19 in China is 4.0 per 100,000 with a gender ratio of 0.7:1 (males: females), which is a little lower than that in Japan (6.4 in total, a male to female ratio of 2.3:1) where suicide numbers are as many as those in China [2]. As to children aged 5–14, their suicide rate increased from 0.7 to 0.9 per 100,000 for males and remained 0.8 per 100,000 for females in the 1990s, much higher than that in Japan (0.5 for males and 0.3 for females) [3,4]. The prevalence of nonfatal suicidal behavior, including suicide thoughts, suicide plans, deliberate selfharm, and attempted suicide, are common in 15–24 year olds adolescents [6]. As a result, understanding youth suicide and suicide behavior and finding useful prevention strategies are extremely urgent
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