Viviane Kovess-Masfety1, Daniel J Pilowsky2, Dietmar Goelitz3, Rowella Kuijpers4, Roy Otten4, Maria Francesca Moro5, Adina Bitfoi6, Ceren Koç7, Sigita Lesinskiene8, Zlatka Mihova9, Greg Hanson5, Christophe Fermanian5, Ondine Pez5, Mauro Giovanni Carta10. 1. EHESP Rennes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, EA 4057 Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. Electronic address: viviane.kovess-masfety@ext.parisdescartes.fr. 2. Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA. 3. Institute of Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau (Campus Koblenz), Koblenz, Germany. 4. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 5. EHESP Rennes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, EA 4057 Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. 6. The Romanian League for Mental Health, Bucharest, Romania. 7. Yeniden Health and Education Society, Istanbul, Turkey. 8. Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Vilnius, Vilnius, Lithuania. 9. New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria. 10. Centro di Psichiatria di Consulenza e Psicosomatica Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of suicidal ideation and thoughts of death in elementary school children in a European survey and to determine the associated socio-demographic and clinical factors. METHODS: Data refer to children aged 6-12 (N=7062) from Italy, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Germany, and the Netherlands randomly selected in primary schools. Suicidal thoughts and death ideation were measured using a computerized pictorial diagnostic tool from the Dominic Interactive (DI) completed by the children. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administrated to teachers and parents along with a socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was present in 16.96% of the sample (from 9.9 in Italy to 26.84 in Germany), death thoughts by 21.93% (from 7.71% in Italy to 32.78 in Germany). SI and DT were more frequent in single-parent families and large families. Externalizing disorders were strongly correlated with SI and DT after controlling for other factors and this was true for internalizing disorders only when reported by the children. CONCLUSION: Recognizing suicidal ideation in young children may be recommended as part of preventive strategies such as screening in the context of the presence of any mental health problems whether externalizing or internalizing.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of suicidal ideation and thoughts of death in elementary school children in a European survey and to determine the associated socio-demographic and clinical factors. METHODS: Data refer to children aged 6-12 (N=7062) from Italy, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Germany, and the Netherlands randomly selected in primary schools. Suicidal thoughts and death ideation were measured using a computerized pictorial diagnostic tool from the Dominic Interactive (DI) completed by the children. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administrated to teachers and parents along with a socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Suicidal ideation was present in 16.96% of the sample (from 9.9 in Italy to 26.84 in Germany), death thoughts by 21.93% (from 7.71% in Italy to 32.78 in Germany). SI and DT were more frequent in single-parent families and large families. Externalizing disorders were strongly correlated with SI and DT after controlling for other factors and this was true for internalizing disorders only when reported by the children. CONCLUSION: Recognizing suicidal ideation in young children may be recommended as part of preventive strategies such as screening in the context of the presence of any mental health problems whether externalizing or internalizing.
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