To assess and compare depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls.

 

Mrs. Thushara Vasukuttan

Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, SGT University, Gurgaon

 

ABSTRACT:

Depression in children and adolescents is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. Depression and suicide can destroy the very essence of teenager’s personality¹. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions of Mysore. Descriptive and comparative survey was used. Using Non probability convenience sampling technique. Total of 120 samples were selected which consisted of 60 residential and 60 non residential adolescent girls. Tool used to collect the data consisted of three part: Proforma for selected personal variables (11 item), Modified Beck Depression Inventory II (20 item) and Becks hopelessness scale (20 item).Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The depression and suicide risk scores of residential adolescent girls were higher when comparing with non residential adolescent girls. The mean depression score for residential adolescent girls were 19.43 and non residential adolescent girls were 16.15 and it was found to be significant at 0.05 level. The mean suicide score for residential adolescent girls were 7.53 and non residential adolescent girls was 6.11and it was found to be significant at 0.05 level. Hence, there was significant difference in mean depression and suicide scores between residential and non residential adolescent girls. There was significant relationship between depression score and suicide risk score among residential and non residential adolescent girls. Chi square was computed to find the association with selected personal variables and were not significant at 0.05 level except for significance noted for hobbies of residential adolescent girls and suicide risk. The study has revealed that adolescent depression is strongly linked to suicide risk. The nurses should explore areas of seriousness of attempts, mental status, extend of stress and likelihood of repeated suicide attempts and should create awareness about depression and suicide risk and prevention strategies, which would enable the students to grow as responsible citizen and contribute to the development of the nation.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adulthood and is characterized by a spurt in physical, endocrinal, emotional, and mental growth, with a change from complete dependence to relative independence.

The period of adolescence for a girl is a period of physical and psychological preparation for safe motherhood². Depressive disorders are identified by the World Health Organization as priority mental health disorder of adolescence because of its high prevalence, recurrence, ability to cause significant complications and impairment³. Across the globe, the lifetime prevalence for major depression in adolescence is 15% to 20% with a recurrence rate of 60–70% often resulting in suicide, school dropout, pregnancy, substance abuse, progressing in to adult depression, functional disability and significant impairment. Following are some statistics on risk of death of suicide for teenagers and young adults: 1.6 per 100,000 for 10 to 14 year old, 9.5 per 100,000 for 15 to 19 year olds and 13.6 per 100,000 for 20 to 24 year old^3-7.Sometimes a depressed person plans a suicide in advance. A situation like a breakup, a big fight with parent, and unintended pregnancy, being outed by someone else, or being victimized in any way can cause someone to feel desperately upset. Often, a situation like this, on top of an existing depression, acts like the final straw. A suicide has a powerful effect on the individual’s family, school and community⁸.

 

Statement of the Problem:

A descriptive and comparative survey of depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions of Mysore.

 

Objectives:

·      To assess the depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions.

·      To compare depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions.

·      To find the relationship between depression and suicide risk score among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions.

·      To find association of levels of depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls with their selected personal variables.

Hypotheses

H₁: There will be significant difference in the mean scores of depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions.

H₂: There will be significant relationship between the depression scores and suicide    risk scores among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions.

H₃: There will be significant association of levels of depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions with their selected personal variables.

 

Conceptual Framework:

Based on Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model – 1984

       Input                                                                PROCESS                            EFFECTOR                       OUTPUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 1: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK BASED ON CALLISTA ROY’S ADAPTATION MODEL – 1984

 

 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

Research Approach / Design

A descriptive and comparative survey approach

 

Variables

Research Variables: Depression and suicide risk.

Other Variables: Age in years, education, religion, type of family, family monthly

income in rupees, number of children in the family, frequent change of residence, number of close friends, hobbies, family history of suicide and depression, duration of stay in hostel.

 

Setting of the Study

The study was conducted in JSS PU College of Mysore.

 

Population

In the present study, population comprises of adolescent girls of educational institutions.

 

Sample and Sample Size

In the present study, the samples were 120 (60 residential and 60 non residential) adolescent girls of selected educational institution.

 

Sampling Technique

Non probability convenience sampling technique was used to select the samples for the study.

 

Sampling Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Adolescent girls who are:

·      in the age group of 15-18 years

·      available during the period of data collection

·      willing to participate in the study

 

Exclusion Criteria

·      Students who are ill and not able to respond.

Instruments used for the Data Collection

Based on the review of literature and opinion from experts the following tools were decided to be developed.

i.     Proforma for selected personal variables

ii.    Modified Beck Depression Inventory II

iii.  Beck Hopelessness Scale under the expert`s guidance

The structured questionnaire was thought to be the best technique of data collection in the present study.

 

Data Analysis

Both descriptive and inferential statistics were planned to be used in this study.

 

RESULT:

The study revealed

·      Majority of residential 52(86.6%) and non residential 46 (76.6%) adolescent girls were in the age group of 17-18 years.

·      All of them were studying in II PUC 120 (100%).

·      All belong to Hindu religion 120 (100%).

·      Majority of residential 50 (83.4%) and non residential 52 (86.6%) adolescent girls were from nuclear family.

·      Majority of residential 51 (85%) and non residential 45 (75%) adolescent girls family income per month was between Rs. 1,000-10,000.

·      Majority of residential and non residential adolescent girls had one to two siblings 42 (70%) and 38 (63.4%) respectively.

·      Majority of residential 51 (85%) and non residential 49 (81.6%) adolescent girls had no frequent change of residence.

·      Majority of residential 47 (78.4%) and non residential 31 (51.6%) adolescent girls had one to five close friends.

·      Majority of residential adolescent girls had hobbies of reading books 26 (43.4%) where as non residential adolescent girls had hobbies of listening to music 17 (28.4%).

·      Equal number of residential and non residential adolescent girls had no family history of suicide and depression 54 (90%).

·      Majority of residential adolescent girls 53 (88.4%) were staying in the hostel for more than one year and above.

 

 

 

Part –I : Description and comparison of depression scores

 

Table 2. Mean, Standard Deviation, Median, and range of depression scores of residential and non residential adolescent girls            n=120

Group	Residential adolescent girls					Non residential adolescent girls
Variable	n=60					n=60
	Mean          Median             SD			Range		Mean               Median        SD			Range
Depression           19.43		19.5	±9.52	5-41	16.15		15	±7.78	2-38

 

 

 

 

Table 3. Frequency and percentage distribution of levels of depression among residential and non residential adolescent girls

 

 

Table 4. Mean, mean difference, SD difference, SMED and independent ‘t’ test for depression score of residential and non residential adolescent girls.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         n=120

Group	Mean	Mean	SD	SEMD	Independent	Significance
	difference		difference		‘t’ test	at 0.05 level
Residential	19.43
n=60		3.28	±1.86	0.53	6.09	S
Non residential	16.15
n=60

‘t’ ₍₁₁₈₎ = 1.98; Significant                                                                           p<0.05

 

Part-II : Description and comparison of suicide risk scores

Table 5 Mean, Standard Deviation, Median, and range of suicide risk scores of residential and non residential adolescent girls      n=120

Group

Residential adolescent girls

Non residential adolescent girls

n=60

n=60

Variable

Mean             Median

SD

Range

Mean              Median

SD

Range

Suicide Risk

7.53

7

±3.37

2-15

6.11

6

±2.57

0-12

 

Table 6. Frequency, percentage distribution of levels of suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls

 

 

Table 7. Mean, mean difference, SD difference, SMED and independent ‘t’ test for suicide score of residential and non residential adolescent girls                                                                                                                                                                                                                         n=120

Group	Mean	Mean	SD	SEMD	Independent	Significance
		difference	difference		‘t’ test	at 0.05 level
Residential	7.53
n=60		1.417	±0.79	0.31	4.49	S
Non residential	6.11
n=60

‘t’ ₍₁₁₈₎ = 1.98; Significant p<0.05

PART 111: Findings related to relationship between depression scores and suicide risk scores of residential and non residential adolescent girls.

 

Table 8. Correlation coefficient of depression and suicide risk score of residential and non-residential adolescent girls                                n=120

Group	Residential	Non residential
	n=60	n=60
Variable	Suicide risk	Suicide risk
Depression	0.67	0.71

 ‘ϒ’ ₍₁₁₈₎ = 0.250 p<0.05

 

PART 1V:Findings related to association of levels of depression and suicide risk of residential and non residential adolescent girls with their selected personal variables.

 

Chi square was computed to find the association with selected personal variables and were not significant at 0.05 level except for significance noted for hobbies of residential adolescent girls and suicide risk.

 

CONCLUSION:

The adolescent depression is strongly linked to suicide. There is increased depression and suicide risk among residential adolescent girls than non residential adolescent girls. Nurse can assume many roles, as a concerned parent, teacher or friend in helping the adolescents. The nurses must make it clear to adolescents that suicidal behaviour is not confidential and must be told. The nurses should explore areas of seriousness of attempts, mental status, extend of stress and likelihood of repeated suicide attempts and should create awareness about depression and suicide risk and prevention strategies, which would enable the students to grow as responsible citizen and contribute to the development of the nation.

 

REFRENCE:

1.       Anil K Agarwal, Anju Agarwal. A Study of Dysmenorrhea During Menstruation in Adolescent Girls. Indian J Community Med [Internet]. 2010 Jan; [cited 2011 Jun 17]. Available from http://www.teenscreen.org

2.       Teen depression in primary care practical strategies and solution [Internet] 2009 Nov 1; [cited 2010 Sep 17]. Available from http://www.happymoods.info

3.       Teen depression. A guide for parents and teachers [Internet] 2008 Oct;[cited 2010 Sep 17]. Available from http://www.freeessays.cc/db/39/pk024.shtml Gail W Stuart. Principles and practice of Psychiatric nursing. 9^th Ed. Noida: Mosby publishers. 2009

4.       Depression treatment remedies- help yourself to overcome and cure depression[Internet] 2009 Jul; [cited 2010 Jun 23]. Available from http://www.happymoods.info/school-depression

5.       Facts about Depression in Children and Adolescents [Internet] 2004 Jan; [cited 2010 Aug 4]. Available from http://www.med.umich.edu/depression/caph.htm

6.       Sashi K and Subash. Childhood and adolescent depression. Department of Psychiatry [Internet]. Jan; [cited 2010 Sep 13]. Available from http://www.doestoc.com

7.       Teen depression and suicide [Internet]. 2005 Feb; [cited 2010 Sep 12]. Available from http://www.depression.emedtv.com

8.       Students and school recognition of interventions for suicidal students in school setting [Internet] 2005 Nov 20; [cited 2010 Aug 8]. Available from http://www.baltimore.psych.com

9.       Statistics - Adolescent Depression. About teen depression [Internet]. 2006 Nov; [cited 2010 Aug 23]. Available from http://www.about-teen-depression.com/depression-statistics.html .

11. Depression and Suicide in Children and Adolescents. Mental Health: A report of surgeon general [Internet] Jul; [cited 2010 Jul 13]. Available from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth / chapter3/ sec5. html.

 

 

 

Received on 10.10.2015           Modified on 30.05.2016

Accepted on 26.06.2016           © A&V Publication all right reserved