Suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescents from a tertiary hospital in Turkey: A comparative study of pre and postpandemic periods

ERDEM TORUN Ş., PEHLİVANTÜRK KIZILKAN M., DERMAN O., AKGÜL S.

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/13591045231210171
  • Dergi Adı: Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Adolescents, COVID-19, pandemic, suicidal attempts, suicidal ideation
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Aim: This study aims to compare changes in rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and attempts (SA) among adolescents during pre, mid and later periods of the pandemic. Material and Method: This study included adolescents who presented to the adolescent medicine clinic in Turkey between March-May 2019 (prepandemic = T0), March-May 2021(mid period of the pandemic = T1) and March-May 2022 (late period year of the pandemic = T2). SI and SA data were assessed through the electronic hospital records of the “HEEADSSS” inventory. Results: The charts of 2113 adolescents were evaluated. The rates of both SI (p =.015) and SA (p =.026) were determined to be higher during the pandemic (T1+T2) compared to the pre-pandemic period, with a 1.4-fold increase in SI and a 1.5-fold increase in SA. The rates of SI did not differ according to gender, (p =.090). In contrast, SA rate was significantly higher in females (7.3%) than males (3.6%) (p =.001). Conclusion: This study reveals an increase in SI and SA among adolescents during the first 2 years of the pandemic. In challenging times, health professionals should prioritize the identification and treatment of mental health issues, including screening for depression and suicide risk.