Suicide attempts among New Zealand secondary school students : an analysis of protective factors
Fleming, Terry M.
Suicide attempts among New Zealand secondary school students : an analysis of protective factors Fleming, Theresa - 2003 - 139 p.
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Health Sciences Degree.
The objective of this study was to identify factors in the social and personal environments of New Zealand secondary school students that might be protective against suicide attempts. Additionally, this study examines whether these factors are associated with reduced rates of suicide attempts. Data from the New Zealand National Adolescent Health Survey (Youth 2000) was used. New Zealand secondary school students reported high levels of suicide attempts, with 7.8% reporting making a suicide attempt in the last 12 months, and 1.8% reporting making a suicide attempt that required medical treatment. Depressive symptoms were common and strongly associated with increased rates of suicide attempts. All hypothesised family protective factors; all bar one hypothesised school protective factor; and one hypothesised neighbourhood protective factor were associated with reduced rates of suicide attempts. Positive family and school environments have powerful associations with reduced rates of suicide attempts for New Zealand secondary school students, both for those with and those without identified suicide risk factors. This study highlights key aspects of school and family environments that may be addressed to enhance suicide prevention efforts alongside prevention, recognition and treatment of risk.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
nz
ADOLESCENTS
INTERVENTION
MENTAL HEALTH
SELF HARM
SUICIDE PREVENTION
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
YOUTH SUICIDE
THESES
CHILD EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE
PREVENTION
NEW ZEALAND
Suicide attempts among New Zealand secondary school students : an analysis of protective factors Fleming, Theresa - 2003 - 139 p.
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Health Sciences Degree.
The objective of this study was to identify factors in the social and personal environments of New Zealand secondary school students that might be protective against suicide attempts. Additionally, this study examines whether these factors are associated with reduced rates of suicide attempts. Data from the New Zealand National Adolescent Health Survey (Youth 2000) was used. New Zealand secondary school students reported high levels of suicide attempts, with 7.8% reporting making a suicide attempt in the last 12 months, and 1.8% reporting making a suicide attempt that required medical treatment. Depressive symptoms were common and strongly associated with increased rates of suicide attempts. All hypothesised family protective factors; all bar one hypothesised school protective factor; and one hypothesised neighbourhood protective factor were associated with reduced rates of suicide attempts. Positive family and school environments have powerful associations with reduced rates of suicide attempts for New Zealand secondary school students, both for those with and those without identified suicide risk factors. This study highlights key aspects of school and family environments that may be addressed to enhance suicide prevention efforts alongside prevention, recognition and treatment of risk.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
nz
ADOLESCENTS
INTERVENTION
MENTAL HEALTH
SELF HARM
SUICIDE PREVENTION
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
YOUTH SUICIDE
THESES
CHILD EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE
PREVENTION
NEW ZEALAND