Analysis of the opinions of adolescents on the risk factors of suicide

OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this paper was to identify the opinions of adolescents aged 16-19, attending public high schools in Warsaw, on the risk factors of suicide.

METHODS:
The study group consisted of adolescents who were aged 16-19 in the year 2015 (M = 17.29; SD = 0.94). The respondents attended eight public high schools in Warsaw, from eight different districts of the city. The study group was representative. 1,439 respondents participated in the study -821 girls (57.1%) and 592 boys (41.1%). PAPI method was used in the conducted study. The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions divided into three sections – concerning epidemiology, risk factors and prevention of suicidal behaviors.

RESULTS:
According to 37.0% of respondents, the main problem occurring in a family that could become a risk factor in committing suicide is lack of understanding from the parents. The respondents indicated that conflicts between peers are school-related situations that could be the source of suicidal thoughts (48.6%). More than half of respondents (59.1%) believed that being rejected by close and important persons was the main factor related to the feeling of loneliness that could contribute to a suicidal act.

CONCLUSIONS:
1) An important element in the prevention of self-destructive behaviors of young people should be parental training in understanding and accepting their children. 2) Itis advisable to conduct classes developing psycho-social skills of adolescents, in particular their ability to solve interpersonal problems, in order to reduce the number of conflicts with peers that occur in the school environment.