Table 1 Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS) Questions used in the current analysis of adolescent suicidal behaviours
Variable | Core Question | Dichotomous response | Item Rationale for Current Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
Outcomes | |||
Suicide Behaviours | |||
Suicidal ideation | During the past 12 months, did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide? | Percentage of students who ever seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months before the survey | Prior suicidal ideation is a risk indicator for attempts [20] |
Suicide Attempt | During the past 12 months, how many times did you actually attempt suicide? | Percentage of students who attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the survey | Prior suicide attempt is a significant risk indicator for future suicide fatality [20] |
Covariates | |||
Distal Factors | |||
Parental understanding | During the past 30 days, how often did your parents or guardians understand your problems and worries? | Percentage of students who reported that their parents or guardians most of the time or always understood their problems and worries during the 30 days before the survey | Parental involvement is associated with lower levels of depression and suicidal ideation [14] |
No Close friends | How many close friends do you have? | Percentage of students who did not have any close friends | Decreased interaction with friends worsens social skills and undermines the ability to cope with stressful events [14] |
Being Bullieda | During the past 30 days, on how many days were you bullied? | Percentage of students who were bullied on one or more days during the 30 days before the survey | Victimization due to bullying is connected to many negative outcomes including depression, suicidal ideation, self-injury and suicide attempts [16] |
Physical fight | During the past 12 months, how many times were you in a physical fight? | Percentage of students who were in a physical fight one or more times during the 12 months before the survey | Physical fighting can be linked to difficult behaviours and serious injury-related health outcomes [15] |
PE Class | During the school year, on how many days did you go to physical education (PE) class each week? | Percentage of students who went to physical education (PE) class on three or more days each week during the school year | School PE classes can increase adolescent participation in physical activity, increase school performance and develop skills and attitudes for lifelong physical activity [13] |
Serious Injury b | During the past 12 months, how many times were you seriously injured? | Percentage of students who were seriously injured one or more times during the 12 months before the survey | Unintentional injuries can lead to disabilities, depression and risky behaviours [17] |
Physical Activity | During the past 7 days, on how many days were you physically active for a total of at least 60 min per day? | Percentage of students who were physically active for a total of at least 60 min per day on five or more days during the past seven days | Regular physical activity promotes healthy physical health and well-being while reducing depression and anxiety [13] |