J Korean Acad Fam Med.  1997 Jun;18(6):657-665.

Self-esteem and Social Support as a factor for Suicidal Tendency for College Students in Pusan

• Lee JH
• Jang YY
• Cha HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a self-destructive behavior that can occur throughout life. Recently the suicide rate has gradually increased in Korea. Suicide is the third most common cause of death in adolescents. The most important factOrs closely related to suicide were depression and hopelessness. This study aimed to analyze first, relationships between suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, social support and self-esteem, second, the differences between the demographic factors and suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, social support and self-esteem.
METHODS
This study was surveyed with a questionaire to 220 students of colleges located in Pusan. The instruments were used in this study were Harters(1988) Self-Perception Profile for College Students, Harter and Robinsons(1988) Approval Support Scale for Adolescents, Becks(1961) Beck Depression Inventory, Becks(1974) Beck Hopelessness Scale and Reynolds(1987) Suicidal ideation Questionaire.
RESULTS
Self-esteem had a relatively strong positive correlation with social support. Suicidal ideation had a strong positive correlation with depression. Depression had a negative correlation with self-esteem and social support. Suicidal ideation had a negative correlation with self-esteem and social support.
CONCLUSIONS
According to this study, the major factors related to suicidal tendency of adolescents were depression, low self-esteem, and low social support. Then the strategy to improve self-esteem and to encourage social support should be implemented for adolescents to prevent suicide.

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Busan*
Cause of Death
Demography
Depression
Humans
Korea
Self Concept
Self-Injurious Behavior
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide