Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
The purpose of this research study is to contribute positively to the literature and research related to the growing epidemic of suicidality among adolescents in the United States. More than one in three high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and one in six youth report making a suicide plan in the past year. Nearly 22% of Montana teens seriously considered suicide in the past year with a full 10.2% of teens making a suicide attempt. The researchers are interested in applying the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) to the adolescent population. ITPS posits that the those who complete suicide do so because they are experiencing extreme mental distress related to feelings of thwarted belonging (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) coupled with an acquired capability to harm themselves (Joiner, 2009). Previous research indicates that IPTS can be applied to identify risk factors among this population. This study applies this theory to examine interpersonal protective factors. We hope that our data will identify factors that caring adults, educational administrators, counselors, and public health officials can use to guide prevention and intervention services. By examining this connection, we can find ways to increase feelings of belonging and reduce feelings of burdensomeness among adolescents and reduce their risk of death by suicide. Methods include conducting a secondary analysis of the archival data from the 2017 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey. We will measure the two predictor variables of PB and TB via proxy items. The survey items were asked on either a binary (yes/no) or 7-point, Likert-type scale. We will utilize binomial logistic regression and multiple regression to examine the correlation between these protective factors and suicide ideation and attempt. Preliminary analysis indicates several factors with statistical significance.
Mentor Name
Emily Sallee
Personal Statement
Suicide has long been one of the leading causes of death among adolescents; more concerning, the rate of suicide among persons aged 10-24 increased 57.4% between 2007-2018. The added stressors of the pandemic and social isolation have only made the problem more worrisome as ER visits related to mental health among ages 12-17 increased by 31% from 2019-2020. As a school counselor working with this population, and a volunteer on crisis hotlines over the past 15 years, I became keenly aware of the consequences of this growing problem; the loss of a child in this way is beyond comprehension. I am currently in my second year as a doctoral student in Counselor Education & Supervision with intentions to become a faculty member training future school counselors for the profession. As a prospective school counselor educator, I feel a strong urge to research suicide prevention. I am passionate about ensuring that future counselors are adequately trained to recognize the warnings signs and provide support to students at risk. Importantly, while some adolescent suicides come with advanced warning, that is not always the case. This research aims to find ways to protect our students from this risk by identifying protective factors that can be used to create Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions for all students. If there is evidence to support our hypothesis, we will know that we can work on creating prevention and intervention programs aimed at increasing belongingness and reducing perceived burdensomeness; this will work to prevent and protect students from suicide. I am thankful to the Ridge Scholarship and the Institute of Health and Humanities for assisting me with completing this research.
VideoPresentation
Interpersonal Protective Factors of Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Adolescents
UC 330
The purpose of this research study is to contribute positively to the literature and research related to the growing epidemic of suicidality among adolescents in the United States. More than one in three high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and one in six youth report making a suicide plan in the past year. Nearly 22% of Montana teens seriously considered suicide in the past year with a full 10.2% of teens making a suicide attempt. The researchers are interested in applying the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) to the adolescent population. ITPS posits that the those who complete suicide do so because they are experiencing extreme mental distress related to feelings of thwarted belonging (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) coupled with an acquired capability to harm themselves (Joiner, 2009). Previous research indicates that IPTS can be applied to identify risk factors among this population. This study applies this theory to examine interpersonal protective factors. We hope that our data will identify factors that caring adults, educational administrators, counselors, and public health officials can use to guide prevention and intervention services. By examining this connection, we can find ways to increase feelings of belonging and reduce feelings of burdensomeness among adolescents and reduce their risk of death by suicide. Methods include conducting a secondary analysis of the archival data from the 2017 Oregon Healthy Teen Survey. We will measure the two predictor variables of PB and TB via proxy items. The survey items were asked on either a binary (yes/no) or 7-point, Likert-type scale. We will utilize binomial logistic regression and multiple regression to examine the correlation between these protective factors and suicide ideation and attempt. Preliminary analysis indicates several factors with statistical significance.