Original article
Suicidality and correlates among rural adolescents of China

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.08.027Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

Despite high rates of suicide in rural youths of China, little is known about the epidemiological characteristics of suicidal behaviors among this group of population. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of suicidality among Chinese adolescents.

Methods

An epidemiological survey was conducted in a sample of 1,362 adolescents from 5 high schools in a prefecture of Shandong, China. We obtained data using a structured questionnaire asking about suicidal behaviors, life stress, locus of control, depression, aggression, and individual and family characteristics. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results

Overall, 19% of the sample reported having suicidal ideation, and 7% reported having made a suicide attempt during the past 6 months. The prevalence rates of suicidal behaviors significantly increased over age. Female adolescents were more likely to report suicidal ideation than males, and older females (ages 16–18) were more likely to report suicide attempts than older males. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that female gender, older age, boarding in school, life stress, depression, and external locus of control were significantly associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation, while older age, life stress, external locus of control, poor academic performance, depression, and aggression were related to suicide attempts.

Conclusions

Suicidal behaviors are common problems in rural adolescents of China. Female adolescents are particularly prone to report suicidal ideation and suicide attempts as they age. Multiple psychosocial factors are associated with suicidal behaviors, and psychopathology and life stress may play major roles in suicidal behaviors among rural adolescents of China.

Section snippets

Participants and Procedure

This study represents one part of an epidemiological survey of mental health problems among rural adolescents of China, which was carried out in a rural prefecture of Shandong Province, in eastern China [23], [24], [25]. After considering the geographic distribution, time and financial constraints, and sample size, we planned to recruit a total of 1,400 students grades 6–12 (200 students for each grade) from 5 or 6 public high schools in this area. According to our requirement, the prefecture

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts

Overall, 19.3% of the sample reported having thought about killing themselves during the past 6 months, 10.5% reported having deliberately tried to hurt or kill themselves, and 7.0% met the criteria for suicide attempts. Age and gender differences in the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are presented in Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively.

As shown in Figure 1, female adolescents were more likely to report suicidal ideation than males (22.0% vs. 17.5%, χ2 = 4.27, P = .039).

Discussion

To our knowledge, this report represents one of the first on the prevalence and correlates of suicidality among adolescents in rural China. Major findings of this study include: (1) Approximately 19% of the sample reported having suicidal ideation and 7% reported having suicide attempts during the past 6 months; (2) The rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts markedly increased with age; (3) Female adolescents displayed higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts as they

Acknowledgment

This study was supported in part by the Shandong Medical Research Foundation, People’s Republic of China, and the Multi-Investigator Proposal Development Grant Program, Arizona State University.

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