Objectives: The purposes of this study were to realize the rate of children in 4<sup>th</sup> grade who had ever had suicide ideation and to investigate the correlates of this. Methods: Data were obtained from a longitudinal study, Child and Adolescent Behaviors in Long-term Evolution (CABLE), which was conducted in 2001. The sample involved 2,075 fourth graders, 1,652 fathers and 1,841 mothers in northern Taiwan. Results: It was found that the prevalence of ever having suicide ideation among children was 19.77%. The rate in Taipei City was more than twofold that of Hsin-Chu County (26.63% vs. 12.18%). Results of the stepwise logistic regression procedure showed that resident area, substance use, depression, social loneliness, mother's age, parental punishment and family support were the significant variables related to ever having suicide ideation include. It also showed that there is significant disparity between children living in urban and rural area. Conclusions: In order to prevent suicide ideation arising among children, parents and teachers should pay more attention to children's problem behaviors and emotion status. Children need greater family support and appropriate punishment. Those who have suicide ideation should be screened as early as possible. Life education and social skills are suggested in primary schools.
Date:
2005-12
Relation:
Taiwan Journal of Public Health. 2005 Dec;24(6):471-482.
