Perceived Academic Performance as an Indicator of Risk of Attempted Suicide in Young Adolescents

ABSTRACT

This study investigated perceived academic performance and self-reported suicidal behavior in adolescents (n = 2,596), mean age 13 years, from 27 South Australian high schools. Groups perceiving their academic performance as failing, below average, average and above average were significantly different on measures of self-esteem, locus of control, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, plans, threats, deliberate self-injury, and suicide attempts. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that failing academic performance (compared to above average) is associated with a five-fold increased likelihood of a suicide attempt, controlling for self-esteem, locus of control and depressive symptoms. Teachers should note that a student presenting with low self-esteem, depressed mood and perceptions of failure may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and need referral for clinical assessment.

Keywords:

• attempted suicide
• adolescents
• academic performance
• self-esteem
• locus of control

Notes

Note. SD, standard deviation; DSI, deliberate self-injury.

^a Percentages of total (N = 2,596) which includes missing values for variables ranging from 1.3 to 4.2%.

^b Composite variable score (ideas = 1, plans = 2, threats = 3, DSI = 4)

^c Scales: Rosenberg Self-Esteem; Nowicki-Strickland, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.

Note. df, degrees freedom. DSI, deliberate self injury. PAP, perceived Academic Performance.

^a Percentage with ‘yes’ response to suicide variable within PAP category, e.g., 19 out of 38 (50%) failing responded yes to suicidal thoughts.

***p < .001.

Note. SD, standard deviation. df, degrees freedom.

^a Categorical variable Perceived Academic Performance (PAP).

^b Non-significant difference between these groups.

***p < .001.

Note. SE, self-esteem. LOC, locus of control. DS, depressive symptoms.

^a Unadjusted odds ratios for categorical predictors PAP and gender (direct entry).

^b Adjusted odds ratios for PAP and gender after forward stepwise conditional entry (p < .01) of continuous covariates SE, LOC and DS (thoughts and risk) and DS (attempts).

ns p > .05

*p < .05.

**p < .01.

***p < .001.