Suicide attempts among adolescents in Switzerland: prevalence, associated factors and comorbidity

Abstract

Switzerland has one of the highest rates of adolescent suicide in Europe, but the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts is unknown. The objective of this paper is to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviour among Swiss teenagers and to identify the factors associated with suicide attempts. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of 9268 15- to 20-year-old adolescents attending school or college. Six items focused on suicidal ideation and conduct. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the health variables associated with suicide attempts. About 55% of the adolescents had no suicidal concerns; 26% reported suicidal thoughts, 15% reported suicidal plans and 3% reported suicide attempts. Suicide attempters reported significantly more problems in four areas, namely health behaviour, life events, social relationships and mental health. In conclusion, many factors associated with suicide attempts represent detectable behaviours. Thus health professionals could use this knowledge to be more effective in suicide prevention among adolescents.

Suicidality and sexual orientation among men in Switzerland: Findings from 3 probability surveys

“…Switzerland has one of the higher rates of completed suicides and occupies an intermediate position in attempted suicides (BilleBrahe, 1999), yet population data on suicidality exist only for adolescents. According to the 1992 Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health (SMASH), 26% of 15e20 year old students reported suicidal thoughts, 15% suicidal plans, and 3% suicide attempts in the past year (Rey Gex et al, 1998). According to the 1993 Swiss Recruit Survey of 20 year olds, 49.1% reported lifetime suicidal ideation and 2.3% suicide attempts (Mohler-Kuo et al, 2006).…”

Family environment, expressed emotion and adolescent self-harm: A review of conceptual, empirical, cross-cultural and clinical perspectives

“…On the other hand, supportive and warm parenting may serve to buffer adolescents against suicidality (Harris & Molock, 2000;Kaplan et al, 1997;Perkins & Hartless, 2002). Other suggested familial protective factors include positive parent -child communication and feeling understood by relatives (Blum et al, 1992;Kandel et al, 1991;Martin et al, 1995;Rey Gex et al, 1998;Stewart et al, 1999;Tomori, 1999;Wagman Borowsky et al, 1999;Wagner et al, 1995).…”

The Associations Between Children's and Adolescents’ Suicidal and Self-Harming Behaviors, and Related Behaviors Within Their Social Networks: A Systematic Review

“…As was the case with the previous two sections, the majority of papers in this section (41-95.3%) reported positive associations between children's/adolescents' SSHB and that of multiple reference groups (Abrutyn & Mueller, 2014;Ali, Dwyer, & Rizzo, 2011;Bearman & Moody, 2004;Bjarnason & Thorlindsson, 1994;Borowsky, Ireland, & Resnick, 2001;Borowsky, Resnick, Ireland, & Blum, 1999;Brent, Kolko, Allan, & Brown, 1990;Chan et al, 2009;Corder, Page, & Corder, 1974;De Leo & Heller, 2004;Deliberto & Nock, 2008;Feigelman & Gorman, 2008;Fleming, Merry, Robinson, Denny, & Watson, 2007;Gex, Narring, Ferron, & Michaud, 1998;Grossman, Milligan, & Deyo, 1991;Hargus, Hawton, & Rodham, 2009;Harkavy-Friedman, Asnis, Boeck, & DiFiore, 1987;Hawton, Rodham, Evans, & Weatherall, 2002;Jegannathan & Kullgren, 2011;Laederach, Fischer, Bowen, & Ladame, 1999;Larsson & Ivarsson, 1998;Larsson & Sund, 2008;Lewinsohn, Rohde, & Seeley, 1994;Mars, Heron, Crane, et al, 2014;McMahon, Corcoran, Keeley, Perry, & Arensman, 2013;McMahon et al, 2010;Nanayakkara, Misch, Chang, & Henry, 2013;O'Connor, Rasmussen, & Hawton, 2009;O'Connor, Rasmussen, & Hawton, 2014;O'Connor, Rasmussen, Miles, & Hawton, 2009;Portzky, Audenaert, & van Heeringen, 2009;Portzky, de Wilde, & van Heeringen, 2008;Rew, Thomas, Horner, Resnick, & Beuhring, 2001;…”