Correlates of suicide risk among secondary school students in Cape Town

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess correlates of suicide risk in a South African school-based population (N = 1,157) from three secondary schools in Cape Town. Results indicated that using the Suicide Risk Screen (SRS; Eggert, Herting, & Thompson, 1995) a high rate of learners screened in at possible suicide risk (31.6%). Anger control problems, low self-esteem, perceived stress and unmet school goals were identified as predictors for suicide risk, while gender, age, drug involvement (alcohol and drug use, drug control problems and adverse consequences from alcohol and drug abuse), parental alcohol and/or drug abuse problems, perceived school performance, serious conflicts and tension with parents and unmet family goals were not associated with suicide risk.