Past Issues

Objectives: This study examined the relationships between adolescent suicide and risk factors. Methods: The meta-analysis technique was adopted to analyze 195 journal articles, theses and dissertations on adolescent suicide issues. Of these reviewed materials, 167 journal articles published abroad between January 1995 and May 2005 were retrieved from PsycINFO and SocioFile computerized databases. Only 28 journal articles, theses and dissertations written by Taiwanese researchers before July 2005 were retrieved. In this study, suicidal behavior was categorized into four types: suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, suicide completion and suicidal risk. Risk factors were divided into eleven dimensions: history of psychological trauma, mental illness, affect, cognition, behavior, personality trait, family structure, family function, school problems, stress and social support. Results: Various degrees of relationship existed between adolescent suicide and the different risk factor dimensions. The affective risk factor dimension had strong relationships with overall suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Conclusions: This study provides a multidimensional overview on risk factors in adolescent suicide and proposes a direction for future suicide research, assessment and intervention. (Full text in Chinese)