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January 17, 2010
Adolescents, parents may underestimate teen suicide risk.
WebMD (1/11, Boyles) reported, "Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens, but teenagers and their parents underestimate the risk or think that it doesn't happen in their own communities," according to a study appearing in the February issue of Pediatrics.
After conducting "focus groups with parents and teens living in urban, suburban, or rural areas in an effort to better understand their attitudes and perceptions regarding adolescent suicide," researchers found that even though "parents and teenagers were able to identify many of the most common risk factors for suicide, including depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and relationship problems," they "also tended to underestimate the risk in their own backyards, believing instead that it was a problem in other communities."
Related Links:
- Study Shows Parents and Teens Believe Suicide Isn't a Problem in Their Communities," Salynn Boyles, WebMD Health News, January 11, 2010.
Posted by admin at January 17, 2010 05:05 PM