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PREVENTING SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS

Mahammad Mammadzada1

Abstract: The factors related to social, psychological, environment that lead to suicidal behaviors

are discussed in this article. This work illustrates how the risk factors such as depression, social

isolation, family conicts, and lack of public support result in suicide. This article also highlights how

school-based psychological programs, societal support, and strong family relationships play a key

role in preventing suicidal behavior. The article especially emphasizes that high-risk groups—such

as LGBTQ youth, adolescents from low-income families, and those exposed to violence require more

targeted intervention. Additionally, using three standardized tests, adolescents’ levels of depression

and hope for the future were measured through the administration of the DASS and CHS. Furthermore,

the Reasons for Living (RFL) scale was used to identify the underlying motivations that prevent

suicidal behavior.

Keywords: Suicidal, Adolescent, Suicide, Depression, Risk

Introduction

In recent years, suicidal behavior among adolescents has been steadily increasing, emerging

as a serious public health issue. Studies have shown that adverse family relationships and a toxic

social environment are signicant contributors to suicidal behavior. If there is no sincerity or kindness

within the family, the adolescent may feel lonely and isolated. In some cases, families may project

their own problems and expectations onto the adolescent, which can negatively impact their mental

well-being and increase the risk of suicidal behavior [Izydorczyk, Bernadetta, Sitnik-Warchulska,

1 Master’s Student in Clinical Psychology, Odlar Yurdu University Baku Azerbaijan

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Katarzyna 2018]. If adolescents feel valuable in society and family and receive support from the

environment, the probability of the likelihood of psychological problems reduces and the adolescent

doesn’t think about suicide. [ Drew-Branch, Vanessa, Ingram, LaDrea 2017]. If adolescents are

surrounded by strong family dynamics and a positive environment, they can overcome their issues

such as propensity to suicide.

Risk factors

Different factors such as depression, a problematic family, violence, and social isolation

increase the risk of suicide by reinforcing one another. If an adolescent is constantly in a tense

situation and steadily exposed to violence at school, and has a history of self-harm, these factors

signicantly increase the adolescent’s propensity for suicide. [Fauzi Tsaniandi, Nurul Hidayati,

Rr Dian Tristiana, Trihaningsih Puji Astuti 2024]. In such cases, psychological disorders such as

anxiety and depression strengthen more, and the adolescent despairs far more, and this situation

becomes so intolerable that suicide can be seen as “the only solution.” [Hays, Mallory 2024]. The

youth from some groups, such as sexual minorities, are usually in a more sensitive state. Studies

show that suicidal behavior has spread more among these groups, and the factors that lead to it are

hopelessness and exposure to violence at school or in the family. Family members constantly pressure

such an adolescent, and when they cannot get support, this leads them to loneliness (Jabbaroiv, 2020,;

Jabbarov,2021; Jabbarov et.al,2022).. While families impact adolescents, they don’t consider the risks

that can lead to suicide [Hope Wisneski, N. Eugene Walls, Stacey Freedenthal 2008]. Especially in

marginal groups — for example, LGBTQ+ youth, ethnic minorities, and homeless adolescents —

suicidal behavior is noticeably common. Considering all the reasons, it cannot be overcome by just

one approach, so different approaches must be taken for each group [Wilson, 1999].

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Effective ways to prevent suicidal behavior

If there is a risk related to suicide, one of the best ways to prevent it is by reducing the

availability of tools such as weapons, drugs, and belts. Another way is the necessity of a sensitive

approach by the media, by which I mean the publishing of news related to suicide must be limited,

because such news can encourage adolescents at risk, resulting in them trying it. Furthermore, creating

some awareness programs in each country, such as Gatekeeper — QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), may contribute to preventing suicidal behavior.

According to studies, only taking psychotherapy and medication isn’t enough to successfully prevent

suicide. Studies show that some adolescents purposely harm themselves. Here, the main purpose isn’t

suicide, but rather reducing stress through pain — and such adolescents do think about suicide. In

addition, I conducted a study consisting of 3 tests to clarify the reasons. I stated and to clarify the main

reason for adolescents’ general depression, future hopes and suicide avoidance. Based on the results

of the study, I can say that the family factor plays a major role because I found that a adolescents who

are depressed is also responsible for they family. (Jabbarov,2012;Jabbarov anda İbrahimova,2013).

Methodology

A study was conducted using 3 tests to measure the risk factors that may arise in adolescents.

The study was conducted between grades 9, 10, and 11, and 113 students participated.

Test 1: RFL( Reasons for living)

This is a psychological assessment designed to determine reasons that can protect people

from suicide. These reasons can be related to family, the will to live, and fear of suicide.

Test 2: DASS ( Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale)

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This test helps to determine the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. It isn’t related to

emergency situations; rather, it is designed to measure general psychological health.

Test 3: Children’s Hope Scale (CHS)

This is a designed survey to measure children’s hopes and their ability to overcome troubles

and reach goals. Adolescents answer questions related to their own experiences and beliefs.

Results

RFL SPSS analysis: Table 1

Note: number of boy= 56, number of girl=57, total=113

Survival and Coping Beliefs: mean 110.57, standard deviation 16.69 explanation: The mean

is high on scale, it means that participants have strong beliefs to overcome troubles and live. standart

deviation is at the avarage level, it means, there is no serious gap

Responsibility to Family: mean 53.43, standart deviation 7.4 explanation: The mean is also

high on the scale. It shows that participants feel a strong sense of responsibility toward their family.

The low level of variance indicates that there aren’t big differences among participants.

Fear of Suicide: mean 28.30, standart deviation 5.58 explanation: This determines the

participants’ fear of suicide and shows that this factor can play a signicant role in preventing it.

Fear of Social Disapproval: mean 13.13, standart deviation 2.84 explanation: There is fear of

disapproval or rejection among participants, but this fear is somewhat low compared to other scales.

Subscale Mean Standart Deviation Minimum Maximum Variance

SCB 110.57 16.69 74 138 278.71

RF 53.43 7.34 42 76 53.89

FS 28.30 5.58 16 42 31.13

FSD 13.13 4.13 318 17.03

MO 18.57 2.84 14 24 8.08

Test Women

mean

Women

variance

Men

mean

Men

variance t% p-value

Sig

Depression 7.41 4.17 17.38 6.17 4.31 18.57 0.61 0.555 No

Anxiety 8.71 4.92 24.22 5.17 3.43 11.77 1.92 0.077 Ye s

Stress 7.53 4.27 18.26 4.67 3.78 14.27 1.54 0.155 No

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Although this can act as a protective factor, it can also be a risk factor for suicidal thoughts.

Moral Objections: mean 18.57, standart deviation 2.84 explanation: If this scale is high, it

means that participants think suicide is not acceptable, and this serves as a psychological barrier to

prevent it.

The difference between the mean scores of women (M = 110.4, SD = 15.6) and men (M =

105.2, SD = 14.8) is not statistically signicant, t(86) ≈ 1.69, p ≈ 0.094.

DASS SPSS analysis: Table 2

Note: number of boy= 56, number of girl=57, total=113

Depression: The mean depression score for women was 7.41, while it was 6.17 for men.

Standard deviations and variances were similar. The p-value was 0.555, which shows that there are no

signicant differences between the sexes.

Anxiety: The mean anxiety score for women was 8.71 while it was 5.17 for men. This

difference is relatively high, and the p-value was 0.077. Although the p-value is larger than 0.05, it is

considered close to signicant because it is less than 0.1. It means women may have higher anxiety

levels than men.

Stress: The mean stress score for women was 7.53 while it was 4.67 for men. The p-value was

0.155, indicating that there was no statistical difference between the sexes in stress levels.

Conclusion: There was no signicant difference in depression and stress levels between

women and men. However, it was observed that women may have higher anxiety levels than men.

Test Women

mean

Women

variance

Men

mean

Men

variance t% p-value

Sig

Depression 7.41 4.17 17.38 6.17 4.31 18.57 0.61 0.555 No

Anxiety 8.71 4.92 24.22 5.17 3.43 11.77 1.92 0.077 Ye s

Stress 7.53 4.27 18.26 4.67 3.78 14.27 1.54 0.155 No

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CHS SPSS analysis: Table 3

Note: number of boy= 56, number of girl=57, total=113

Comparison between women and men: T-test result: t-statistic: -1.34 p-value: 0.202

Since the p-value is greater than 0.05, there is no statistically signicant difference in the

level of hope between women and men. Although women had a lower score compared to men, this

difference was not signicant. However, people who got 13, 15, or 16 could be more at risk.

Discussion

According to the results of the DASS test, we see that the levels of depression, anxiety, and

stress vary among adolescents. Some subjects show high scores in depression and anxiety, which

indicates that they experience psychological tension. There are participants with both high and low

levels of hope. Analyses show that there is a negative correlation between overall hope level and

high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. In other words, as psychological distress increases

in adolescents, their hope and belief in the future decrease. Adolescents with high scores on the

RFL test likely have lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and higher hope. In contrast,

those with low RFL scores show higher psychological distress on the DASS test and lower hope,

which increases their suicidal risk. Adolescents with high depression and anxiety scores are more

likely to have a higher risk of suicide, because in such cases, hope decreases and the impact of stress

becomes stronger. Those with low levels of hope generally show more risky behaviors and negative

psychological outcomes.

Group Mean Standart Deviation Var iance

General 24.08 5.80 33.59

Women 22.88 5.01 25.11

Men 26.33 6.78 46.00

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