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

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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.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-023-05447-8.

Related collections

Most cited references 15

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Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework

Lisa O'Malley, Hilary Arksey (2005)

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Social Aspects of Suicidal Behavior and Prevention in Early Life: A Review

Maya Amitai, Alan Apter (2012)

Purpose: The present review summarizes the updated literature on the social aspects of suicidal behavior and prevention in adolescents. Recent findings: The predictive role of psychiatric disorders and past history are well recognized in adolescent suicide, but the role of social and cultural factors is less clear. Studies have focused on the importance of ethnicity, gender, family characteristics, and socioeconomic status. More recently, attention has been addressed to broader social risk factors, such as bullying in adolescents, suicide contagion, sexual orientation, and the popular media. Further empirical evidence is needed to advance our understanding of suicidal youth, develop better assessment tools, and formulate effective prevention and treatment programs. Summary: Suicidal behavior remains an important clinical problem and major cause of death in youth. Social factors may be at least as important as genetics. Advancing our understanding of underlying cultural and sociological issues in youth suicide will help clinicians achieve more efficient prediction, prevention and treatment.

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Stress and suicidal ideas in adolescent students in Chandigarh.

Priti Arun, Yuvaraj Chavan (2009)

School students in India have a high stress level and high rate of deliberate self-harm. The present study was conducted to find out stress, psychological health, and presence of suicidal ideas in school students and to find out any correlation between these variables. Cross-sectional study conducted on school students in urban area of Chandigarh city. Data was collected on 2402 students from classes VII to XII on socio-demographic scale, 12-item general health questionnaire, Mooney problem checklist, and suicide risk eleven -a visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis used was chi square and Spearman's correlation. Out of 2402 students, 1078 (45.8%) had psychological problems, half (1201 students) perceived problems in their role as students, 930 (45%) reported academic decline, 180 (8.82%) students reported that life was a burden, 122 (6%) reported suicidal ideas and 8 (0.39%) students reported suicidal attempt. There was significant correlation between student's perception of life as a burden and class they were studying, mother's working status, psychological problems and problems students experienced in relation to study, peers, future planning and with parents. Students with academic problems and unsupportive environment at home perceived life as a burden and had higher rates of suicidal ideations.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Subhendu Kumar Acharya: a.subhendu@gmail.com

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): BMC Psychiatry

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): BMC Psychiatry

Title: BMC Psychiatry

Publisher: BioMed Central (London )

ISSN (Electronic): 1471-244X

Publication date (Electronic): 9 January 2024

Publication date PMC-release: 9 January 2024

Publication date Collection: 2024

Volume: 24

Electronic Location Identifier: 35

Affiliations

[1 ]ICMR- Regional Medical Research Centre, NALCO Nagar, ( https://ror.org/01qr3vg91) Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751023 India

[2 ]Department of Anthropology, Utkal University, ( https://ror.org/0034eez47) Bhubaneswar, Odisha India

[3 ]Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases (ECD-Tribal Health), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), ( https://ror.org/0492wrx28) New Delhi, India

Article

Publisher ID: 5447

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05447-8

PMC ID: 10775453

SO-VID: 51e2897b-1f00-483e-b40b-aae589e8ae14

License:

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