The patterns, trends and major risk factors of suicide among Indian adolescents – a scoping review

Abstract

Background Adolescence is an essential stage for the development of mental health, and suicide is among the leading cause of mortality for adolescents around the world. In India, the suicide rate among adolescents has been increasing in recent years. The scoping review was conducted to map the evidence and address gaps by examining the existing pattern, and trends, and identify the major risk factors of suicide among Indian adolescents. Methods The study was conducted as per the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ manual. The systematic search was performed using electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, by using specific keywords. After the screening, 35 articles were identified according to the inclusion criteria. Results The evidence on the trends of suicide among adolescents showed that the suicide rate has shown an alarming increase in recent years. The evidence pattern showed that hanging and poisoning were the commonly selected methods used by adolescents. The most commonly reported risk factors were mental health problems (54.28%), negative or traumatic familiar issues (34.28%), academic stress (22.85%), social/lifestyle factors (20%), violence (22.85%), economic distresses (8.75%), relationship factor (8.75%). Conclusion By synthesizing and summarising the patterns, trends, and key risk factors of suicide among Indian adolescents, this scoping review provides a broad understanding of the literature already in existence. In order to effectively tackle these issues, the finding highlights the urgent need for extensive and targeted suicide prevention measures.

Emotional regulation and suicidal ideation—Mediating roles of perceived social support and avoidant coping

“…In a study of Chinese university students, Chu et al ( 2021 ) found that higher levels of perceived social support were associated with lower levels of suicidal ideation with stress as the mediator. Modernity-driven changes in family structure, perception of being neglected or ignored by parents, excessive use of social media, a history of childhood trauma were often identified as suicide related risk factors (Kar, 2010 ; Bhosle et al, 2015 ; Senapati et al, 2024 ) in India.…”

“…Previous work has explored the interplay between emotional regulation, coping processes, and suicidal ideation (Jose and Angelina, 2020 ; Wastler and Núñez, 2022 ). A recently published article reviews and explains how the inability to cope with daily life stressors, the absence of peer group or family support, and not having kin around often have a debilitating effect on suicidal ideation (Senapati et al, 2024 ). At this standpoint our study aims to contribute to the existing literature by exploring the extent to which cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression predict suicidal ideation while considering perceived social support and avoidant coping as potential mediating factors.…”