The Characteristics of Chinese Adolescents With Suicidal Ideation: A Mixed-Methods Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Li ◽  
Rongwei Zhang ◽  
Shihong Liu ◽  
Junsheng Liu ◽  
Ting Zhang

We conducted a mixed-methods study to explore the characteristics of Chinese adolescents with suicidal ideation, using both quantitative and qualitative data and analysis. Participants were N = 244 adolescents, who completed self-report assessments of suicidal ideation, as well as indices of psychological functioning and well-being. A subset of n = 6 high and n = 6 low suicidal ideation adolescents participated in the follow-up interviews. Among the quantitative results, as compared with adolescents with low suicidal ideation, adolescents with high suicidal ideation reported significantly higher scores for stressful life events, coping-avoidant strategies, loneliness, and depression, as well as significantly lower scores for coping-approach strategies. Among the qualitative results, adolescents with high suicidal ideation demonstrated the following characteristics: (a) most troubled by academic pressures and relations, (b) negative self-evaluations, (c) maladaptive understanding of life and death, (d) individual-oriented attributions, and (e) negative coping strategies and self-fulfilling prophesy. These findings contribute to the early identification of adolescents who are at higher risk for suicide, further expand the stress and coping model with the distress-to-meaninglessness framework, and suggest that improving positive self-evaluation may be a focus of prevention and intervention.

2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Lawrence ◽  
Elizabeth L. Jeglic ◽  
Laura T. Matthews ◽  
Carolyn M. Pepper

This study examined gender differences in psychological functioning in a sample of college students who lost a parent to death. Male and female students ( n = 65) who had a parent that had died were asked to complete a series of self report questionnaires to assess psychological distress, feelings of grief and bereavement, and coping strategies. Overall, no gender differences were found between bereaved students on measures of psychological distress. However an avoidant coping style was related to symptoms of depression in females, but not in males. Students who lost a mother were more likely to report symptoms of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation as compared to students who lost a father. Future research implications and the clinical importance of these findings are discussed.


Author(s):  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Ruilin Tu ◽  
Wei Hu ◽  
Xiao Luo ◽  
Fengqing Zhao

Previous studies have primarily focused on the separate mediating role of interpersonal context or personal characteristics in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and depression, neglecting the combined effects, which have limited ecological validity. Therefore, this study investigated the multiple mediating roles of perceived ostracism and core self-evaluation in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment and depression. A total of 1592 Chinese adolescents (51.1% boys), ranging in age from 11 to 15 years (M = 13.23, SD = 0.96), completed a self-report questionnaire regarding demographics, psychological maltreatment, perceived ostracism, core self-evaluation and depression. A multiple mediation model was tested using Model 6 of the PROCESS macro. After controlling for the variables of gender and age, the results indicated that perceived ostracism and core self-evaluation parallelly and sequentially mediated the link between psychological maltreatment and depression. The multiple mediation model could account for 55% of the total effect. In conclusion, the current study helps us better understand the mechanisms of depression caused by psychological maltreatment, and contributes to preventing and intervening in depression among Chinese adolescents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice A. Wray ◽  
Sharlene Beckford Jarrett

Jamaican police officers often encounter organizational and societal stressors through their work in high-crime and low-resource settings. Repeated exposure to stressors, with limited opportunities for support, can compromise emotional well-being and increase the risk of experiencing burnout and suicidal ideation. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment) and suicidal ideations among Jamaican police officers surveyed in 2017. Jamaican police officers ( N = 305) from five major urban divisions completed two self-report questionnaires. The results revealed significant relationships between emotional exhaustion and suicidal ideations ( r = .17, p < .01) and depersonalization and suicidal ideations ( r = .18, p < .01). However, there was no significant relationship between personal accomplishment and suicidal ideations ( p > .01). Implementing programmes that offer access to adaptive coping or stress management skills and social support systems may reduce burnout and decrease risk for suicidal ideation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S162-S162
Author(s):  
Kyrsten Costlow ◽  
Patricia A Parmelee ◽  
Tina Harralson

Abstract The literature on health locus of control (HLC) suggests that individuals who believe that their health is internally determined are more likely to use active coping strategies than those who believe their health is determined by chance or powerful others (Brosschot, Gebhardt, & Godaert, 1994; Gibson & Helme, 2000). Coping strategies (Klapow et al., 1995) and HLC (Campbell, Hope, & Dunn, 2017) have been found to influence the relation between chronic pain and depression. We hypothesized that the relation between osteoarthritis pain and depression would be serially mediated by HLC and coping. Self-report measures of osteoarthritis pain (Meenan, Mason, Anderson, Guccione, & Kazis, 1992; Parmelee, Katz, & Lawton), HLC (Wallston, Wallston, & DeVellis, 1978), coping strategies (Felton & Revenson, 1984; Rosenstiel & Keefe, 1983), and depression (Radloff, 1977) were examined in 367 older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. Hayes’ (2013) PROCESS macro was used to test the hypothesized serial multiple mediation for three subscales of HLC: internality (IHLC), chance (CHLC), and powerful others (PHLC). After controlling for age, the hypothesized serial mediation was statistically significant for IHLC and CHLC but not PHLC. More specifically, osteoarthritis pain significantly increased CHLC, which increased negative coping and depression in turn. Osteoarthritis pain significantly decreased IHLC, which was associated with both positive and negative coping strategies in a complex serial mediation. These findings suggest that interventions targeting HLC and/or coping strategies may be able to alter the pain-depression pathway for older adults with chronic osteoarthritis pain. (Supported by R01-MH51800, P. Parmelee, PI).


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
Janet Walker ◽  
Lourens Schlebusch ◽  
Bernhard Gaede

Objectives. Family members caring for a patient with acquired brain injury (ABI) are coping with inordinate levels of stress partially due to their lack of understanding of the neuropsychological effects of acquired brain injury in the patient. The objective of this research is to show that as the caregivers’ stress levels increase, there is an increase in suicidal ideation. This highlights the causal relationship between unhealthy stress and reduced psychological well-being in these caregivers. In addition, qualitative research evidence regarding the caregivers’ views of their main sources of stress are presented. Methods. The participants were a random sample of 80 family caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury, out of whom 72.5% (58) are primary caregivers and 27.5% (22) are secondary caregivers. A mixed methodology was utilized. It comprised cross-sectional descriptive and phenomenological approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from two standardized measures: The Stress Symptom Checklist (SSCL) and item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory. The qualitative data were derived from self-report procedures that were part of a structured questionnaire administered individually during the interviews. Results. The Kruskal-Wallis test with a significance level of p = .05 was used to compare the stress and suicidal ideation scores, which revealed that increasing levels of stress led to increased suicidality. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed five themes which were identified as the triggers of the caregivers’ profound stress. Most caregivers felt that it was predominantly the patient’s neuropsychological deficits, such as emotions and/or moods, cognitive ability, behavior and personality, executive function, and social factors that caused them profound stress. Conclusions. Support and education are needed to help family caregivers understand the neuropsychological impact of acquired brain injury on the patient. Once caregivers have an improved understanding and receive better support from healthcare providers, they should experience less stress and be better prepared to provide the appropriate support to patients with acquired brain injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-160
Author(s):  
Lotte De Schrijver ◽  
Stefanie De Buyser ◽  
Kasia Uzieblo ◽  
Christophe Vandeviver ◽  
Ines Keygnaert

Abstract Background: To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide restricted social and physical contact by issuing lockdown and social-distancing measures. Yet, lockdown measures may induce mental health problems and increase the occurrence of domestic violence (DV). We examine mental health and DV in lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (LGB+) persons under lockdown. Methods: An online self-report questionnaire on relationships, stress, and aggression was administered to a non-probabilistic sample of participants living in Belgium. Participants were sampled through national media, social media, and snowballing procedures. Occurrence of DV including psychological, physical, and sexual violence, stress, alcohol and drug use, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harming behaviour, and help-seeking behaviour in LGB+ persons during the first four to six weeks of the hygiene and lockdown measures in Belgium were assessed. Results: 383 LGB+ participants were included in the analysis. In addition to high levels of stress, alcohol and drug abuse, suicidal ideation, and self-harming behaviour, a third of LGB+ participants reported at least one incident of DV under lockdown. Conclusion: LGB+ persons have been exposed to DV and experienced lower mental health and well-being during the lockdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the possible need for public health measures and sociocultural changes preventing DV and improving mental health during lockdown in LGB+ persons.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-281
Author(s):  
Genevieve E. Chandler ◽  
Karen A. Kalmakis ◽  
Lisa Chiodo ◽  
Jim Helling

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with psychological and physiological disease, and risky health behaviors. A person’s ability to be resilient may protect them from these negative health outcomes, as resilience has been associated with increased emotional awareness, coping, belonging, and greater likelihood of good health and well-being. AIMS: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a strengths-based resilience intervention to improve access to internal and external resources that effect perceptions of stress, resilience, emotional awareness, and belonging among student-athletes. METHODS: A mixed-methods design was used to examine variables of interest between intervention and control groups. A sample of 56 college athletes completed surveys and engaged in expressive writing during a 5-week resilience intervention. RESULTS: Self-report data indicated that student-athletes in the intervention group improved decision making, lowered perceived stress, and increased resilience compared with controls. Of note, participants with ACEs showed greater increments of positive change in emotional awareness scales than participants without ACEs. Descriptions of emotion management, authentic connections, and increased ability to request support from others were identified in the qualitative data. CONCLUSIONS: A strengths-based course designed to increase resilience—offered as academic and athletic stress is mounting—provided a unique opportunity to promote student-athlete success. Participants gained skills key to victory on and off the field, including health-promoting behaviors, a sense of belonging, persistence, and the ability to negotiate external resources.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girija Kaimal ◽  
Katrina Carroll-Haskins ◽  
Arun Ramakrishnan ◽  
Susan Magsamen ◽  
Asli Arslanbek ◽  
...  

AimsIn this pilot mixed-methods study, we examined the participants experiences of engaging in virtual drawing tasks and the impact of an olfactory stimulus (calming fragrance blend) on outcomes of affect, stress, self-efficacy, anxiety, creative agency, and well-being (satisfaction with life).MethodsThis study used a parallel mixed-methods, simple block randomization design. The study participants included 24 healthy adults aged 18 to 54 years, including 18 women and six men. The participants completed two 1-h immersive virtual art making sessions and were randomly assigned to receive either a fragrance or a non-fragrance condition for the first session. Quantitative (standardized self-report measures) and qualitative (open-ended survey responses and virtual artwork) datasets were collected concurrently and integrated during data analysis.ResultsThe quantitative results indicated that the fragrance condition demonstrated a significant reduction in negative affect (e.g., feeling hostile, jittery, upset, distressed, etc.), namely, reduced feelings of negativity when compared to the non-fragrance condition. A trend toward improvement in self-efficacy was also seen in the fragrance condition. No significant changes were found for fragrance or non-fragrance conditions for positive affect, anxiety, and creative agency. The qualitative findings included five themes related to art making experiences in virtual reality in both conditions: fun and joy; novelty of virtual media, experimentation, and play; relaxation and calm; learning curve; and physical discomfort and disorientation. Four themes were identified for virtual art content and visual qualities: nature imagery, references to memories and personal symbols, fantasy and play within imagery, and depiction of everyday objects.ConclusionsOverall, the participants reported positive responses to the novel virtual art making experiences which were further heightened by the inclusion of the fragrance stimulus for negative affect. These preliminary findings need to be replicated with larger sample sizes to confirm the outcomes and the trends that were seen in this pilot study. Further research is recommended to examine the differences between experiences of virtual and traditional art media and to examine different olfactory stimuli promoting focus and concentration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Ejercito M. Balay-odao ◽  
Ivy May Marbella ◽  
Juana Balisong

Undergraduate college students have been identified as at-risk population for development of suicidal ideation and depression.  Student nurses are among those who experience depression and anxiety due to stressful life events.  The stressful situations encountered by student nurses are multifaceted.  Thus, this study explored the level of depression and suicidal ideation of BSN students and the effect of gender and year level.  The need to explore these two salient factors was prompted by the need to promote and to improve school of nursing services, student safety, and decrease cases of depression and suicidal ideation among students.  The study utilized a descriptive design.  There were 326 student nurses who participated in the study.  The questionnaire which was used for this study was based on 2 standardized self – report questionnaire.  The findings showed that most of the students experienced mild to severe depression. Most of the students however, do not have suicidal ideation behavior, but almost one third of the students have a high risk for suicidal ideation behavior. Furthermore, the findings showed that gender and year level have no significant effect on the level of depression among BSN Students. Gender and year level have no significant effects in the level of suicidal ideation among student nurses.  These findings can help guide the development of a school-based, prevention and promotion mental health program.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110523
Author(s):  
Emma Chad-Friedman ◽  
Karen A. Kuhlthau ◽  
Rachel A. Millstein ◽  
Giselle K. Perez ◽  
Christina M. Luberto ◽  
...  

Parents of children with learning and attention disorders (LAD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience chronic parenting stress due to the challenges in raising a child with special needs. We used a mixed methods design to examine characteristics and experiences of stress and coping among parents of children with LAD and ASD. We conducted 20 semi-structured focus group interviews with parents of children with LAD ( n = 11) and ASD ( n = 9) and administered a battery of self-report measures of stress and coping to parents of LAD ( n = 53) and ASD ( n = 51) enrolled in a pilot trial. Qualitative findings showed that parents of children with LAD and ASD largely experienced similar sources of stress, but with different intensities due to their children's different difficulties. Quantitative findings reflected high levels of distress among parents of children with LAD and ASD, with parents of children with ASD demonstrating higher distress and poorer overall sleep quality. Stressors experienced by parents of children with ASD arose from more overt challenges associated with having a child with more visible challenges. Parents of children with LAD experienced more subtle challenges of having a child who is less overtly impaired. Findings will aid in the development of targeted stress management interventions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document