PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL FACTORS RELATED TO SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG RURAL VIETNAMESE ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the level of suicidal ideation and its personal, peer- and family-related factors among rural Vietnamese adolescents. A self-administered survey was conducted with 171 students from two middle schools in two communes of Quang-Tri Province in Vietnam. Suicidal ideation and risk factors were measured using the Vietnamese version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). The data were analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 14.2%, and no gender differences were found. The major risk factors associated with suicidal ideation were feelings of loneliness, having no close friends, and parental drinking. The findings suggest that student interpersonal skills, and family and community involvement are key considerations for the development of a suicide prevention program for this population. Further research is suggested to develop and evaluate a school-based culturally adaptive suicide prevention program.