Self-Reported Suicide Attempts and Associated Risk and Protective Factors Among Secondary School Students in New Zealand

This study examined associations between individual, family, school, & community characteristics & rates of suicide attempts in a national population sample of New Zealand secondary school students. In total, 739 participants reported having made a suicide attempt in the past 12 months. Depressive symptoms, alcohol abuse, having a friend or family member attempt suicide, family violence, & non-heterosexual attractions were independently associated with increased rates of suicide attempts while the caring of significant others, teachers being fair & feeling safe at school were independently associated with decreased rates of suicide attempts. (43 refs.)