Multiple pathways from stress to suicidality and the protective effect of social support in Hong Kong adolescents
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Suicide & Life-threatening Behavior
Publication Date
4-1-2007
Volume
37
Issue
2
First Page
187
Last Page
196
Abstract
Two theoretical models were constructed to illustrate how stressful events, family and friends support, depression, substance use, and death attitude mutually influence to create cumulative risks for suicide. The models were evaluated using structural equation modeling. Results showed that suicidality was strongly predicted by death attitude, depression, and substance use which together form a dangerous combination of risk factors at the personal level. Within the adolescent's social environment, stressful events increased suicidality through intensifying depression, substance use, and death acceptance, whereas family and friends support lowered it, partly through reducing stress and death acceptance. The effect (direct and indirect combined) of family support was much stronger than that of friends support. Enhancing stress coping ability, promoting positive family relationships, and attacking attitudes supportive of death might be the best strategies to prevent youth suicide.
DOI
10.1521/suli.2007.37.2.187
Print ISSN
03630234
E-ISSN
1943278X
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2007 The American Association of Suicidology.
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Cheng, S.-T., Chan, A. C. M. (2007). Multiple pathways from stress to suicidality and the protective effect of social support in Hong Kong adolescents. Suicide & Life-threatening Behavior, 37(2), 187-196. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1521/suli.2007.37.2.187/abstract