Tasileta Teevale1, Arier Chi-Lun Lee2, Jemaima Tiatia-Seath3, Terryann Coralie Clark4, Simon Denny5, Pat Bullen6, Terry Fleming7, Roshini Janet Peiris-John2. 1. 1 Pacific Development Office, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 2. 2 Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. 3. 3 Pacific Health, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. 4. 4 School of Nursing, University of Auckland, New Zealand. 5. 5 Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. 6. 6 Learning, Development and Professional Practice, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, New Zealand. 7. 7 Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: New Zealand has the second highest youth suicide rate in the OECD and particularly among Pacific New Zealanders, who have a threefold higher risk of suicide attempt compared with the general population. AIMS: Protective and risk factors for suicide attempts among New Zealand Pacific adolescents were assessed using data from Youth'12, an adolescent health and well-being survey. METHOD: This randomly selected nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students included 1,445 Pacific high school students aged 12-17 years. RESULTS: One in 10 (11.6%) Pacific adolescents reported attempting suicide. Risk factors for suicide included: being female, household food insecurity, low levels of family connections and family monitoring, life dissatisfaction, having a religious affiliation, and previous suicide by a family member or friend. Of those who had made a suicide attempt, 71% also experienced both suicide ideation and self-harm. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that given the high rates of suicide ideation and attempts among Pacific young people, targeted trials for new ways of support should be prioritized for this high-risk group. The Pacific family environment, which continues to be the critical space for intervening, and the school environment, as a provider of health services, were both protective of suicide attempt.
BACKGROUND: New Zealand has the second highest youth suicide rate in the OECD and particularly among Pacific New Zealanders, who have a threefold higher risk of suicide attempt compared with the general population. AIMS: Protective and risk factors for suicide attempts among New Zealand Pacific adolescents were assessed using data from Youth'12, an adolescent health and well-being survey. METHOD: This randomly selected nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students included 1,445 Pacific high school students aged 12-17 years. RESULTS: One in 10 (11.6%) Pacific adolescents reported attempting suicide. Risk factors for suicide included: being female, household food insecurity, low levels of family connections and family monitoring, life dissatisfaction, having a religious affiliation, and previous suicide by a family member or friend. Of those who had made a suicide attempt, 71% also experienced both suicide ideation and self-harm. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that given the high rates of suicide ideation and attempts among Pacific young people, targeted trials for new ways of support should be prioritized for this high-risk group. The Pacific family environment, which continues to be the critical space for intervening, and the school environment, as a provider of health services, were both protective of suicide attempt.
Authors: Theresa Fleming; Sally Merry; Karolina Stasiak; Sarah Hopkins; Tony Patolo; Stacey Ruru; Manusiu Latu; Matthew Shepherd; Grant Christie; Felicity Goodyear-Smith Journal: JMIR Ment Health Date: 2019-05-08