Original scientific paper

School Stress and Certain Personality Characteristics as Predictors of Suicidality in Adolescents

Sanja Subotić ; Škola za turizam, ugostiteljstvo i trgovinu, Pula
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar, Zagreb
Marina Merkaš ; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar, Zagreb

Abstract

The research is based on van Heeringen’s approach to suicidality as a process (2001). The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of predicting adolescent’s suicidality based on school stress and certain personality characteristics (locus of control and perceived incompetence). The sample included 190 adolescents. The participants filled the Autodestruction Scale (Dautović, 1990), the Externalization Scale (Bezinović, 1990b), the Perceived Incompetence Scale (Bezinović, 1990a), and the School Stress Scale for Students (Arambašić and Sabljić, 2000, as cited in Sabljić, 2000). Gender differences were not found on the Autodestruction Scale (self-destruction), the Subscale of Suicidal Depression, the Subscale of Anxiety, and the Subscale of Borderline. On the Subscale of Aggression, boys achieved higher average score than girls. School stress and certain personality characteristics (locus of control and perceived incompetence) are related to and may help predicting adolescents’ suicidality, but predictive factors vary according to the gender of adolescents. In the boys’ sample, high levels of incompetence significantly contribute to the explanation of self-destruction and suicidal depression. In the girls’ sample, high levels of school stress, incompetence and externalization contribute to the explanation of self-destruction. Suicidal depression in girls can be best explained by high levels of incompetence and externalization.

Keywords

suicidality; school stress; locus of control; incompetence; adolescents

Hrčak ID:

32455

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/32455

Publication date:

1.12.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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