Self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among college students


Toprak S., Cetin I., Guven T., Can G., Demircan C.

PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH, vol.187, pp.140-144, 2011 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 187
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.psychres.2010.09.009
  • Journal Name: PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.140-144
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts are well represented behaviours in the general population of both developed and developing countries. These behaviours are indicative of underlying risk factors that show a strong interdependent correlation. In this study we attempted to define correlates for and prevalence of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among Turkish college students. This 2006 study included 636 students from two Turkish state universities. Our results showed that the lifetime prevalence of self-harm was 15.4%, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was 11.4%, and the prevalence of suicide attempts was 7.1%. We uncovered correlates for self-harm, including low income, unsatisfying familial relationships, smoking, and alcohol, inhalant, and tranquilizer abuse. Tranquilizer abuse shared a dual role as a correlate for suicide ideation and as a means to attempt suicide. Additionally, we found that drug abusers and adolescents who practise self-harm presented the highest suicide risk. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.