Prediction of suicidal tendency in adolescents: The role of reasons for living, psychological well-being and Alexitima

In this study, it has been that whether suicidal tendency in adolescents is predicted by reasons for life, psychological well-being and alexithymia; whether suicidal tendency levels (low / medium / high) differ among adolescents according to their gender and whether suicidal tendency scores differ according to whether they feel the need for help (yes / no). This research was carried out with a relational screening model among descriptive studies. The dependent variable of the study is suicidal tendency, and independent variables are gender, reasons for life, psychological well-being and alexithymia. For the purpose of the study, data were collected from many study groups. In order to test the structural validity of Reasons for Life Scale, data were collected from 253 adolescents (95 males (37.5%), 158 females (62.5%)) attending high school 1, 2, 3 and 4th grades, for criterion validity from 236 adolescents (87 males (36.9%), 149 females (63.1%)) and for test-retest reliability from 135 adolescents (80 males (59.2%), 55 females (40.8%)). Finally, data were collected from 699 adolescents (260 males (37.6%), females 439 (62.8%)) to reach the answer to the research question of the study. In order to collect data, "Suicide Probability Scale", "Reasons for Life Scale", "Psychological Well-Being Scale" and "Toronto Alexithymia Scale" were used. In addition, "Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale" and "Beck Hopelessnes Scale" were used to provide evidence for criterion-related validity in the "Reasons for Life Scale" adaptation study. SPSS 23 and AMOS programs were used in the analysis of the data. First of all, confirmatory factor analysis and criterion-related validity studies were conducted for the validity of the Reasons for Life Scale. For the reliability of the scale, Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient and test-retest methods were used. In order to determine whether suicidal tendency levels (low / medium / high) differ among adolescents according to their gender Chi-square analysis; according to whether they need help or not (yes / no) t-Test; and in order to determine whether suicidal tendency can be predicted by reasons for life, psychological well-being and alexithymia phased multiple regression analysis were used. In the study, maximum error marging is accepted as .05. According to the findings obtained from the research, firstly it was found out that suicidal tendency levels of adolescents did not differ significantly according to their gender. Second, when the relationships between variables are examined, it was observed that there was a meaningful negative relationship between suicidal tendency and life reasons of adolescents in the general working group. In the same group, a meaningful negative relationship was found between suicidal tendency and psychological well-being. A meaningful positive relationship was found between suicidal tendency and alexithymia. In addition, while there was a negative relationship between suicidal tendency and reasons for life between suicidal tendency and psychological well-being among female adolescents; there was negative relationship between suicidal tendency and reasons for life – between suicidal tendency and psychological well-being and positive relationship between suicidal tendency and alexithymia among male adolescents. Thirdly, it was observed that the suicide possibilities of adolescents is predicted by psychological well-being, reasons for life and alexithymia in the "general working group", Psychological well-being and reasons for life in "female adolescents" and reasons for life in "male adolescents" appear to be significant predictors of psychological well-being and alexithymia. Finally, it was observed that according to whether adolescents need psychological help or not, their scores on suicidal tendency differed significantly and those who stated they need psychological help scored higher. Findings obtained within the framework of the research were discussed, interpreted and suggestions were made in the light of the literature.