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Self-Esteem Deficits and Suicidal Tendencies among Adolescents

1995; Elsevier BV; Volume: 34; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00004583-199507000-00016

1527-5418

James C. Overholser, Dalia M. Adams, Kim L. Lehnert, David Brinkman‐Sull,

Resilience and Mental Health

ABSTRACT Objective Self-esteem can play an important role in suicidal tendencies among adolescents. The present study was designed to examine the relationship between self-esteem deficits and suicidal tendencies in 254 adolescent psychiatric inpatients and 288 high school students. Method The direct relationship between self-esteem and suicidal tendencies was examined by assessing suicidal ideation and history of suicide attempts. An indirect relationship between selfesteem and suicidality was examined by assessing depression and hopelessness. Results Differences were found across gender and hospitalization status, with males reporting higher self-esteem than females and high school students scoring higher in self-esteem than psychiatric inpatients. However, correlations among variables remained similar across gender and hospitalization status. Thus, low self-esteem was related to higher levels of depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and an increased likelihood of having previously attempted suicide. Furthermore, self-esteem added to the understanding of suicidal ideation beyond what could be explained by depression and hopelessness. Conclusions Low self-esteem was closely related to feelings of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal tendencies. Assessment of adolescents should include an evaluation of self-esteem, and therapy should attempt to address any self-esteem deficits. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1995, 34, 7:919–928.