Psychosocial determinants of suicide attempts among black South African adolescents: a qualitative analysis

In South Africa, one in five adolescents attempt suicide. Suicide attempts continue to rise. We aimed to identify psychosocial target points for future educational interventions. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore psychosocial factors associated with past suicide attempt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of youth studies 2012-03, Vol.15 (2), p.177-189
Main Authors: Shilubane, Hilda N., Ruiter, Robert A.C., Bos, Arjan E.R., van den Borne, Bart, James, Shamagonam, Reddy, Priscilla S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Blacks
Conflict
Correlation
Counseling
Counseling Services
Family (Sociological Unit)
Family studies
Foreign Countries
Interpersonal relations
Interpersonal Relationship
Intervention
Interviews
Knowledge
Peer Groups
Prevention
Psychosocial Factors
Psychosociology
Qualitative analysis
Rural youth
Semi Structured Interviews
Social Support
Social Support Groups
South Africa
Suicide
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Summary:In South Africa, one in five adolescents attempt suicide. Suicide attempts continue to rise. We aimed to identify psychosocial target points for future educational interventions. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore psychosocial factors associated with past suicide attempts among suicide survivors in Limpopo province, South Africa. A total of 14 adolescents (eight girls and six boys) who recently attempted suicide were interviewed. Lack of knowledge of available counsellors, conflicts in interpersonal relationships, perceived accusations of negative behaviour, inadequate social support, past family and peer suicide attempts and poor living circumstances were factors found to be related with suicide attempts. This study suggests that availability and access to counselling is essential in the prevention of suicide among young people, at both the individual level and family level.
ISSN:1367-6261
1469-9680
DOI:10.1080/13676261.2011.634400