Family Factors Associated With Suicide Attempts Among Chinese Adolescent Students: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract 

Purpose

To determine the prevalence and associated family factors of suicide attempts among junior and/or senior high school students, so as to provide bases for preventive measures of suicide in China.

Methods

A total of 13,512 students from 32 junior and/or senior high schools in grades 7 to 11 in eight cities of China participated in a self-administered anonymous survey to report their frequency of suicide attempts during the past year. Sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco, and alcohol use in the past 30 days were asked. Stressful family life events were used to evaluate the subjects' family characteristics.

Results

Overall, 2.7% (338/12,470) in-school adolescents reported a suicide attempt during the past year, girls significantly more often than boys. Considered independently, all stressful family life events were strongly associated with increased risk for self-reported suicide attempts. When taking sociodemographic characteristics, life style, and all the five family factors selected from factor analysis into consideration, there was a significant independent impact of three family factors on increasing suicide attempts risk among adolescents. The most notable risks were derived from improper parental rearing behavior, separation from parents, and social problems of the family members. However, neither poor material conditions of family life nor family member's adversity contribute significantly to the risk.

Conclusions

This study not only indicates that suicide attempt is a significant public health issue among in-school adolescents in China, but also confirms that adolescents with family problems commonly manifest suicide attempts, which highlights the importance of considering family environmental factors when assessing suicide risk.

Keywords: Suicide attempts, Stressful life events, Family factors, Parent-child relations, Adolescent, China