Suicidal Behaviors among Chinese Primary and Secondary School Students: A Causal Analysis
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Published
May 30, 2023
Abstract
Suicide has emerged as a severe global public health issue, ranking as the fourth most common cause of death for young people aged 15 to 19 years, according to the World Health Organization. Suicidal incidents among Chinese elementary and secondary school kids have increased recently, causing irreparable harm to families, schools, and society as a whole. To contribute to continuing efforts to strengthen suicide prevention strategies for Chinese adolescents, this paper focuses on studying the causes of teenage suicide in China from personal, familial, educational, and social viewpoints.
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Keywords
Suicide, Adolescent Suicide, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention
Supporting Agencies
This article is part of the 2021 research project “Development and Practice of Specialized Activities for Regional Primary and Secondary School Setback Education” (C-b/2021/02/48) supported by Jiangsu Province’s 14th Five Year Plan for Education Science. The author is the chief researcher of the project.
References
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7. Fang XD. China Education Development Report. Beijing: Education Science Publishing House. 2014.
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9. National Health Commission of China. China Health Statistical Yearbook (2020). Beijing: Peking Union Medical College Press. 2020
10. Chen X, Sun Y, Li Z, Yu B, Gao G, Wang P. Historical trends in suicide risk for the residents of mainland China: APC modeling of the archived national suicide mortality rates during 1987–2012. Soc Psych Psychiat Epidemiol 2019; 54:99-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1593-z
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13. Zou GS, Lyu JC, Qiao XW. A meta-analysis of the detection rate of suicidal ideation among Chinese secondary school students. Chin Ment Health J 2021; 8:643-650.
14. Yang DP. Blue Book of Education: Annual Report on China’s Education (2019). Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China). 2019.
15. Fan FM, Jia X. Life Education and Suicide Prevention. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. 2013.
16. Durkheim E. Suicide: A Study in Sociology. (Chinese Version). Beijing: The Commercial Press. 1996.
17. Fergusson DM, Woodward LJ, Horwood LJ. Risk factors and life processes associated with the onset of suicidal behavior during adolescence and early adulthood. Psycholog Med 2000; 30(1):23-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s003329179900135x
18. Borowsky IW, Ireland M, Resnick MD. Adolescent suicide attempts: Risks and protectors. Pediatrics 2001; 107(3):485-493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.107.3.485
19. Gould M, Jamieson P, Romer D. Media contagion and suicide among the young. Am Behav Scient 2003; 46(9):1269-1284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764202250670
20. Yu T. Durkheim’s suicide theory and the issue of adolescent suicide in China during the transformation period. Consum Guide 2009; 17:247-248.
21. Li J. Research on Suicide. Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China). 2014.
22. Wu CH, Quan CX. External mechanisms for suicide prevention and control among college students. Chin Med Ethic 2010; 5:120-122.
23. Ministry of Civil Affairs of China. Data on Rural Left-behind Children 2018. 2018. Available at: https://www.mca.gov.cn/article/gk/tjtb/201809/20180900010882.shtml
24. Fan XH, Huang YD, Yang H, Zhang M, Zhu SP, Wen S, Fang XY. Revision of the disadvantaged rural left-behind children questionnaire. Chin J Clin Psychol 2023; 2023(1):84-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2023.01.015
25. Zhao YQ. Sociological examination of suicide among young children and the increase in adolescent suicide rates. Chin J Sociol 2003; 7:59-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15992/j.cnki.31-1123/c.2003.07.019
26. China Internet Network Information Center. The Annual Report on the Internet Use of Chinese Minors (2021). CNNIC. 2022.
27. Wei YL. The Challenges of Adolescent Internet Addiction Control and Countermeasures (master’s thesis). Nanjing Normal University. 2020. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202101&filename=1021515387.nh
28. Cheng YS, Tseng PT, Lin PY, Chen TY, Stubbs B, Carvalho AF, Wu CK, Chen YW, Wu MK. Internet Addiction and Its Relationship with Suicidal Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis of Multinational Observational Studies. J Clin Psych 2018; 79(4):17r11761. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.17r11761
29. Bannink R, Broeren S, van de Looij-Jansen PM, de Waart FG, Raat H. Cyber and traditional bullying victimization as a risk factor for mental health problems and suicidal ideation in adolescents. PLoS One 2014; 9(4):e94026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094026
30. Phillips DP. The influence of suggestion on suicide: substantive and theoretical implications of the Werther effect. Am Sociol Rev 1974; 39(3):340-54
31. World Health Organization. Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals, 2017 update. World Health Organization. 2017. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/258814
32. Xu YH. The Ethic of Media Coverage of Suicides in China. (Doctoral dissertation). Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 2010.
33. Li JW. The Ethics of Coverage of Suicides by New Mainstream Media in China. (Master’s thesis). Tianjin Normal University. 2022. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202301&filename=1022555107.nh
34. Wang L. The Impact of Suicide Coverage Methods on High School Students’ Suicidal Attitudes and Ideation (master’s thesis). Harbin Normal University. 2016. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD201602&filename=1016178253.nh
35. Gan ZH. The value of life: Reflections on the suicide incidents of primary and secondary school students. Youth Year 2014; 2014(9):191.
36. Yang DP. Blue Book of Education: Annual Report on China’s Education (2018). Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press. 2018.
37. Sun YS. The unbearable weight of being: A two-dimensional perspective on suicide among Chinese primary and secondary school students. Ment Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2018; 17:60-62.
38. Wen J. The history of research on the factors influencing suicidal ideation of medical students (master’s thesis). Chongqing Medical University. 2020. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202002&filename=1020649919.nh
39. Yao XZ, Wang SH. The Evolution of Contemporary Chinese Ethics. Beijing: China Renmin University Press. 2021.
40. Zhou FJ. The impact of authoritarian parenting on differences in behaviors among children. Contemp Family Educ 2020; 25:27-28.
41. Zhang WS. The Impact of family education on the physical and mental development of young children. Intelligence 2022; 28:5-8.
42. Wang XH. Say good-bye to academic achievement-focused education and highlight the fundamental role of education. Educ Pract Res2021; 2021(Z1):88-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14160/j.cnki.13-1259/g4-c.2021. z1.026
43. Lin L, Wang CX, Mo JC, Yang Y, Li HS, Jia XJ, Bai XJ. The relationship between the impulsive disposition and suicidal ideation in college students: a moderated mediation model. Psychol Develop Educ 2018; 2018(3):369-376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2018.03.14
44. Koyama E, Zai CC, Bryushkova L, Kennedy JL, Beitchman JH. Predicting risk of suicidal ideation in youth using a multigene panel for impulsive aggression. Psych Res 2020; 285:112726. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112726
45. Psychiatry Society of Chinese Medical Association. Classification and Diagnostic Criteria for Mental Disorders in China (CCMD-2-R). Nanjing: Southeast University Press. 1995.
46. Bai YP. Causes of suicide among primary and secondary school students and educational suggestions. Jiangsu Educ 2020; 32:41-43+47.
47. Pang ZC, Cao BY. The unbearable weight of being: An investigation of adolescent suicide and reflections. Class Adv 2002; 3:4-7.
48. Lerner RM, Steinberg L (Eds.). Handbook of Adolescent Psychology: Individual Bases of Adolescent Development (Vol.1). John Wiley & Sons. 2009. Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1002/9780470479193
49. Luo X, Jyu F. Psychological factors in suicide among primary and secondary school students and its prevention and intervention: A psychoanalytic perspective. Mental Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2021; 33:4-7.
50. Zhou H. Key points of psychological counseling for depression among high school student and strategies. Mental Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2023; 9:35-38.
51. Zhou WW. Strengthening the construction of social support systems for adolescent mental health. Chin Youth Daily 2023-03-11. p.008.
52. Xie CH, Li XR, Zhang MJ, Gu KQ, Hu Hua. The impact of negative events on suicidal ideation of adolescents with depression disorders: the mediating role of mother-child attachment. Sichuan Ment Health 2021; 5:435-439.
53. Huang QQ, Wang C. The intervention effect of emotional resilience on adolescent suicide ideation: A perspective of positive psychology. Ment Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2022; 33:4-8.
54. Liu C, Li MZ, Li XH. A review of predictive factors in suicidal behavior of adolescents with depression disorders. Chin J Sch Health 2023; 2023(2);316-320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2023.02.036
2. Li JJ. Adolescent Suicide in China. Beijing: China Social Sciences Press. 2007.
3. Deng Y, Liu BZ. Safeguarding angels: Suicide prevention strategies in Japanese primary and secondary schools and their implications. Jiangxi Educ 2016; 7: 41-42.
4. UNICEF. The State of the World’s Children 2021: On My Mind Promoting, Protecting and Caring for Children’s Mental Health. UN. 2021. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-worlds-children-2021
5. Tang HL, Wang SY, Li M. A review of suicidal ideation among Chinese secondary school students in the past decade. J Nanjing Xiaozhuang Univ 2021; 2021(3):93-98.
6. Sina Education Network. 73 student suicides in primary and secondary schools nationwide in 2010 with Sichuan Province ranking second with nine cases. 2010-11-28. Available at: http://edu.sina.com.cn/zxx/2010-11-28/1745276630.shtml
7. Fang XD. China Education Development Report. Beijing: Education Science Publishing House. 2014.
8. Li CW, Song YG. Educational reflections on student suicide. J Tianjin Acad Educ Sci 2020; 2020(4):37-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16137/j.cnki.cn12-1303/g4.2020.04.008
9. National Health Commission of China. China Health Statistical Yearbook (2020). Beijing: Peking Union Medical College Press. 2020
10. Chen X, Sun Y, Li Z, Yu B, Gao G, Wang P. Historical trends in suicide risk for the residents of mainland China: APC modeling of the archived national suicide mortality rates during 1987–2012. Soc Psych Psychiat Epidemiol 2019; 54:99-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1593-z
11. Lu HW. An investigation of the increase in younger suicides in primary and secondary schools and countermeasures. In Editorial Board of “Theory and Practice of Mental Health Education in Primary and Secondary Schools” (Ed.), Proceedings of the First “Health Cup” National Primary and Secondary School Mental Health Education Seminar and Awards Conference (pp. 317-324). Beijing: Kaiming Press. 2002.
12. Zhang ZX, Huang XX, Hu J, Xue YN, Jia LY, Tao FB, Wan YH, Zhang SC. The interaction between mental health literacy and non-suicidal self-harm behavior among secondary school students and its association with suicidal behaviors. Chin J Pub Health 2022; 12:1517-1522.
13. Zou GS, Lyu JC, Qiao XW. A meta-analysis of the detection rate of suicidal ideation among Chinese secondary school students. Chin Ment Health J 2021; 8:643-650.
14. Yang DP. Blue Book of Education: Annual Report on China’s Education (2019). Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China). 2019.
15. Fan FM, Jia X. Life Education and Suicide Prevention. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. 2013.
16. Durkheim E. Suicide: A Study in Sociology. (Chinese Version). Beijing: The Commercial Press. 1996.
17. Fergusson DM, Woodward LJ, Horwood LJ. Risk factors and life processes associated with the onset of suicidal behavior during adolescence and early adulthood. Psycholog Med 2000; 30(1):23-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s003329179900135x
18. Borowsky IW, Ireland M, Resnick MD. Adolescent suicide attempts: Risks and protectors. Pediatrics 2001; 107(3):485-493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.107.3.485
19. Gould M, Jamieson P, Romer D. Media contagion and suicide among the young. Am Behav Scient 2003; 46(9):1269-1284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764202250670
20. Yu T. Durkheim’s suicide theory and the issue of adolescent suicide in China during the transformation period. Consum Guide 2009; 17:247-248.
21. Li J. Research on Suicide. Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China). 2014.
22. Wu CH, Quan CX. External mechanisms for suicide prevention and control among college students. Chin Med Ethic 2010; 5:120-122.
23. Ministry of Civil Affairs of China. Data on Rural Left-behind Children 2018. 2018. Available at: https://www.mca.gov.cn/article/gk/tjtb/201809/20180900010882.shtml
24. Fan XH, Huang YD, Yang H, Zhang M, Zhu SP, Wen S, Fang XY. Revision of the disadvantaged rural left-behind children questionnaire. Chin J Clin Psychol 2023; 2023(1):84-89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2023.01.015
25. Zhao YQ. Sociological examination of suicide among young children and the increase in adolescent suicide rates. Chin J Sociol 2003; 7:59-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15992/j.cnki.31-1123/c.2003.07.019
26. China Internet Network Information Center. The Annual Report on the Internet Use of Chinese Minors (2021). CNNIC. 2022.
27. Wei YL. The Challenges of Adolescent Internet Addiction Control and Countermeasures (master’s thesis). Nanjing Normal University. 2020. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202101&filename=1021515387.nh
28. Cheng YS, Tseng PT, Lin PY, Chen TY, Stubbs B, Carvalho AF, Wu CK, Chen YW, Wu MK. Internet Addiction and Its Relationship with Suicidal Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis of Multinational Observational Studies. J Clin Psych 2018; 79(4):17r11761. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.17r11761
29. Bannink R, Broeren S, van de Looij-Jansen PM, de Waart FG, Raat H. Cyber and traditional bullying victimization as a risk factor for mental health problems and suicidal ideation in adolescents. PLoS One 2014; 9(4):e94026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094026
30. Phillips DP. The influence of suggestion on suicide: substantive and theoretical implications of the Werther effect. Am Sociol Rev 1974; 39(3):340-54
31. World Health Organization. Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals, 2017 update. World Health Organization. 2017. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/258814
32. Xu YH. The Ethic of Media Coverage of Suicides in China. (Doctoral dissertation). Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 2010.
33. Li JW. The Ethics of Coverage of Suicides by New Mainstream Media in China. (Master’s thesis). Tianjin Normal University. 2022. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202301&filename=1022555107.nh
34. Wang L. The Impact of Suicide Coverage Methods on High School Students’ Suicidal Attitudes and Ideation (master’s thesis). Harbin Normal University. 2016. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD201602&filename=1016178253.nh
35. Gan ZH. The value of life: Reflections on the suicide incidents of primary and secondary school students. Youth Year 2014; 2014(9):191.
36. Yang DP. Blue Book of Education: Annual Report on China’s Education (2018). Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press. 2018.
37. Sun YS. The unbearable weight of being: A two-dimensional perspective on suicide among Chinese primary and secondary school students. Ment Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2018; 17:60-62.
38. Wen J. The history of research on the factors influencing suicidal ideation of medical students (master’s thesis). Chongqing Medical University. 2020. Available at: https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202002&filename=1020649919.nh
39. Yao XZ, Wang SH. The Evolution of Contemporary Chinese Ethics. Beijing: China Renmin University Press. 2021.
40. Zhou FJ. The impact of authoritarian parenting on differences in behaviors among children. Contemp Family Educ 2020; 25:27-28.
41. Zhang WS. The Impact of family education on the physical and mental development of young children. Intelligence 2022; 28:5-8.
42. Wang XH. Say good-bye to academic achievement-focused education and highlight the fundamental role of education. Educ Pract Res2021; 2021(Z1):88-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14160/j.cnki.13-1259/g4-c.2021. z1.026
43. Lin L, Wang CX, Mo JC, Yang Y, Li HS, Jia XJ, Bai XJ. The relationship between the impulsive disposition and suicidal ideation in college students: a moderated mediation model. Psychol Develop Educ 2018; 2018(3):369-376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2018.03.14
44. Koyama E, Zai CC, Bryushkova L, Kennedy JL, Beitchman JH. Predicting risk of suicidal ideation in youth using a multigene panel for impulsive aggression. Psych Res 2020; 285:112726. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112726
45. Psychiatry Society of Chinese Medical Association. Classification and Diagnostic Criteria for Mental Disorders in China (CCMD-2-R). Nanjing: Southeast University Press. 1995.
46. Bai YP. Causes of suicide among primary and secondary school students and educational suggestions. Jiangsu Educ 2020; 32:41-43+47.
47. Pang ZC, Cao BY. The unbearable weight of being: An investigation of adolescent suicide and reflections. Class Adv 2002; 3:4-7.
48. Lerner RM, Steinberg L (Eds.). Handbook of Adolescent Psychology: Individual Bases of Adolescent Development (Vol.1). John Wiley & Sons. 2009. Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1002/9780470479193
49. Luo X, Jyu F. Psychological factors in suicide among primary and secondary school students and its prevention and intervention: A psychoanalytic perspective. Mental Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2021; 33:4-7.
50. Zhou H. Key points of psychological counseling for depression among high school student and strategies. Mental Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2023; 9:35-38.
51. Zhou WW. Strengthening the construction of social support systems for adolescent mental health. Chin Youth Daily 2023-03-11. p.008.
52. Xie CH, Li XR, Zhang MJ, Gu KQ, Hu Hua. The impact of negative events on suicidal ideation of adolescents with depression disorders: the mediating role of mother-child attachment. Sichuan Ment Health 2021; 5:435-439.
53. Huang QQ, Wang C. The intervention effect of emotional resilience on adolescent suicide ideation: A perspective of positive psychology. Ment Health Educ Prim Second Sch 2022; 33:4-8.
54. Liu C, Li MZ, Li XH. A review of predictive factors in suicidal behavior of adolescents with depression disorders. Chin J Sch Health 2023; 2023(2);316-320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2023.02.036
How to Cite
Xuan, G. (2023). Suicidal Behaviors among Chinese Primary and Secondary School Students: A Causal Analysis. Science Insights, 42(5), 943–949. https://doi.org/10.15354/si.23.re518
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Review
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