Türkan Akkaya-Kalayci

Suicidal ideation among Viennese high school students.

ZusammenfassungHINTERGRUND: Suizidalität umspannt ein weites Spektrum von Suizidgedanken bis hin zu Suizidhandlungen. Darüber hinaus, Suizidgedanken kommen in der jungen Population häufiger vor als bei Erwachsenen. Dies lässt auf entwicklungsspezifische Elemente schließen. Wir erhoben die Lebenszeitprävalenz von Suizidgedanken und die damit assoziierten psychosozialen Faktoren bei SchülerInnen von Wiener Höheren Schulen. DESIGN: SchülerInnen (n = 214; Durchschnittsalter 15,4 Jahre) dreier Höherer Schulen in Wien füllten einen anonymisierten Fragebogen aus, der Hauptrisikofaktoren für suizidales Verhalten bei Jugendlichen und demographische Merkmale erfasste. ERGEBNISSE: Einundachtzig SchülerInnen (37,9%) berichteten, bereits einmal im Leben Suizidgedanken gehabt zu haben, wobei die Lebenszeitprävalenz der Suizidgedanken bei Mädchen signifikant höher als bei Jungen war (48,5% vs. 29,1%, p = .004). Weiters waren Suizidgedanken bei den Wiener SchülerInnen assoziiert mit einem Leben in nicht-intakter Familie, Substanzmissbrauch (Alkohol/Drogen), Depression, Rauchen und auch mit dem Schultyp (die höchste Prävalenz der Suizidgedanken fand sich bei GymnasiastInnen). Nach Berücksichtigung signifikanter Variablen, waren bei SchülerInnen der Wiener Höheren Schulen weibliches Geschlecht, Schultyp, Substanzmissbrauch und Zigarettenkonsum signifikant mit der Lebenszeitprävalenz von Suizidgedanken assoziiert. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Den psychosozialen Faktoren, die im Zusammenhang mit Suizidgedanken bei Jugendlichen stehen, sollte im Rahmen der Suizidprävention und Gesundheitsförderung mehr Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt werden.SummaryOBJECTIVE: Suicidality spans a spectrum ranging from suicidal thoughts to suicidal acts, and suicidal ideation is more prevalent in youth populations, suggesting important developmental issues. We assessed the prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation and associated psychosocial factors among Viennese high school students. METHOD: An anonymous self-report survey assessing demographic characteristics and the major psychiatric risk factors of teenage suicide was completed by students at three Viennese high schools (n = 214; mean age 15.4 years). RESULTS: Eighty-one (37.9%) high school students reported having had suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives, girls significantly more often than boys (48.5% vs. 29.1%, P = 0.004). Furthermore, lifetime suicidal ideation in Viennese high school students was associated with living in broken-home families, cigarette smoking, substance problems (alcohol/drugs), self-reported depression, and high school type (the highest prevalence was in grammar school). After adjusting for confounders, we found that female gender, substance problems, school type and cigarette smoking were significantly associated with lifetime suicidal ideation in Viennese high school students. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial factors associated with adolescent suicidal ideation require attention in the contexts of suicide prevention and mental health promotion.

The impact of migration and culture on suicide attempts of children and adolescents living in Istanbul.

Abstract Background. Suicidal attempts are steadily increasing in societies with rapid urbanisation and dramatic social changes in places like Istanbul. Stress related to internal migration may increase suicidal behaviour. Aim. We investigated the impact of internal migration and culture on suicide attempts among youth in Istanbul. Methods. We retrospectively analysed the records of 210 children and adolescents, aged 6–18 years, who presented at the Emergency Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Cerrahpaşa Medical School in Istanbul because of suicide attempts between January 2008 and December 2010. Results. The majority of patients (78.95%, N = 165) had a background of internal migration, mostly (65%, N = 136) originating from regions with large cultural differences compared with that of Istanbul. Noticeably, more migrants than non-migrants (18.8% vs. 6.8%) and more patients originating from regions with large cultural differences chose high-risk methods for suicide attempts (20.7% vs. 8.1%). Conclusion. Internal migration can be considered a serious risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Furthermore, the degree of cultural differences between the area of origin and the new environment can be of vital importance. Healthcare measures should, therefore, focus on internal migration as a risk factor for youth suicidal behaviour and provide assistance for appropriate resettlement and integration in countries with increased mobility.

Impact of religious feast days on youth suicide attempts in Istanbul, Turkey

BackgroundSuicidal behaviour is related to psychosocial and biological factors. Although suicide is strictly forbidden by the Islamic faith, there are non-confirmed observations of increased suicidality on religious feast days. The objective of the present study was to find out if suicide attempts of youths living in Istanbul increase on religious feast days compared to ordinary and non-religious holidays.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all suicide attempts (N = 2,232) of young people up to 25 years of age seeking support at various hospitals in Istanbul in 2010. The main hypothesis was that the number of suicide attempts would increase during religious feast days.ResultsThe number of suicide attempts was higher on religious feast days and non-religious holidays except for New Year’s Day and International Labour Day than the daily average number of the actual months. Like on ordinary days, more female than male youth (84.9 % vs. 15.1 %) attempted suicide on feast days.ConclusionWe speculate that changes of the daily rhythm and increased family interaction on feast days and non-religious holidays could lead to unexpected confrontations and disputes instead of the expected positive family climate. This “Broken-Promise Effect” and changes of the daily rhythm could contribute to the observed increased suicidal behaviour.ZusammenfassungHintergrundSuizidales Verhalten wird von psychosozialen und biologischen Faktoren beeinflusst. Obwohl Suizid im islamischen Glauben verboten ist, gibt es Berichte, dass suizidales Verhalten an religiösen Festtagen vermehrt auftritt. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war, herauszufinden, ob Jugendliche in Istanbul häufiger Suizidversuche an religiösen Festtagen im Vergleich zu regulären Tagen und nicht-religiösen Feiertagen unternehmen.MethodenWir analysierten retrospektiv alle Suizidversuche (N = 2.232) von Jugendlichen bis zu 25. Lebensjahren, die nach einem Suizidversuch in verschiedenen Krankenhäusern in Istanbul im Jahr 2010 behandelt wurden. Die Haupthypothese war, dass die Zahl der Suizidversuche an religiösen Festtagen erhöht ist.ErgebnisseDie Zahl der Suizidversuche war an religiösen und nicht-religiösen Feiertagen ausgenommen zu Neujahr und am Tag der Arbeit höher als die durchschnittliche Zahl der Suizidversuche an regulären Tagen des aktuellen Monats. Sowohl im regulären Alltag als auch an Festtagen unternahmen mehr weibliche als männliche Jugendliche (84,9 % vs. 15,1 %) einen Suizidversuch.SchlussfolgerungWir vermuten, dass Veränderungen im Tagesrhythmus und die erhöhten Familieninteraktionen an religiösen Festtagen und nicht religiösen Feiertagen statt des erwarteten positiven familiären Austausches zu unerwarteten Konflikten und Auseinandersetzungen führen. Dieser “Broken-Promise Effect” und die Veränderungen im Tagesrhythmus könnten zum erhöhten Suizidverhalten beitragen.

A comparative study of Turkish-speaking migrants and natives living in Vienna/Austria concerning their life satisfaction – with a particular focus on satisfaction regarding their health

Purpose – The migration background can influence the life satisfaction of migrants. The purpose of this paper is to examine the life satisfaction of migrants and particularly the satisfaction regarding their health in comparison to natives. Design/methodology/approach – The life satisfaction of 50 Turkish-speaking migrants living in Vienna was compared with the life satisfaction of 50 native Austrians by the questionnaire of life satisfaction by Fahrenberg et al. (2000). Findings – Turkish-speaking migrants had lower values than natives in all scales of the questionnaire concerning life satisfaction. Turkish-speaking women reported the lowest satisfaction regarding their health state. In the migrant group the satisfaction regarding health decreased with increasing age. Research limitations/implications – The Turkish version of the questionnaire was translated into Turkish by authors but not formally validated. Furthermore acculturation strategies as well as the mental and physical health state of the part...

Mental health problems of second generation children and adolescents with migration background

Abstract Objective: Despite the growing number of young second-generation immigrant (SGI) children and adolescents, studies about their mental health are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the mental health problems of SGI children and adolescents in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods: In a clinical sample the mental health of 54 SGIs and 50 native children and adolescents were examined using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and Children’s Global Assessment Scale. The assessments were carried out by a blinded rater. Results: SGI children had higher rates of psychiatric disorders such as depression (p = 0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (p = 0.011) and anxiety disorders (p = 0.013), more comorbid disorders and lower functionality scores compared to their native counterparts (p = 0.001). Conclusions: SGI children seem to have higher rates of psychiatric disorders most probably due to migration-induced burdens. The professionals treating SGI children should have more awareness for these problems to be able to approach them in a culture and language sensitive way.

Triggers for attempted suicide in Istanbul youth, with special reference to their socio-demographic background

Abstract Objective: Suicidal behavior of young people is a topic of utmost importance because suicide is irreversible, and should be prevented. Knowing about the psychosocial background and the triggering events could help in preventing suicidal behavior. We therefore aimed at identifying psychosocial factors that may trigger suicidal behavior in youth. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the standardized records of 2232 youths aged ≤25 years, who were treated after a suicide attempt at emergency units of public hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey during a period of 1 year. We describe this population according to sex and socio-economic conditions, like educational, occupational, relationship status and link them with their reported reasons for suicide attempts. Results: The majority of patients were female (81.6%, N = 1822 females, 18.4%, N = 410 males). Independent of their educational and occupational background, patients indicated most frequently intra-familial problems (females 45.8%, males 30.5%), intrapersonal problems (females 19.9%, males 18.5%), and relationship problems (females 11.3%, males 23.9%) as triggering reasons. Conclusions: Because intra-familial problems were the most frequently reported triggers of suicide attempts, preventive measures should focus on handling intra-familial conflicts. As sex differences were observed for the second-most common trigger-reasons, prevention should also focus on differentially handling intrapersonal and relationship conflicts better.

The association of monthly, diurnal and circadian variations with suicide attempts by young people

BackgroundDifferent psychosocial factors might have an impact on suicidal behaviour and evidence shows that there may be an association between monthly, diurnal and circadian changes and suicidal behaviours.MethodsIn the present study we analysed retrospectively records of 2232 youth, who were treated in emergency units of state hospitals in Istanbul/Turkey after attempting suicide.ResultsThe majority of the suicide attempters were females (81.6%). In both sexes, suicide attempts most frequently occurred at the beginning of the calendar week and between evening and midnight.ConclusionsThis study shows that suicide attempts in youth follow diurnal and circadian changes. As suicide attempts of youth most frequently occurred at the beginning of the calendar week and between evening and midnight, health services such as specialized counselling for youth should especially be available during this time.