Hopelessness, depression, and adolescent suicidal behaviors in a rural population

Marion Donna Grothus-Magee, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was fourfold: (1) to examine the relationship of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal behaviors in a nonclinical adolescent rural population; (2) to examine gender differences in a nonclinical adolescent rural population on measures of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal behaviors; (3) to examine the relationship of residence (e.g. town or country) and hopelessness, depression, and adolescent suicidal behaviors within this population; and (4) to examine gender differences with respect to residence on measures of hopelessness, depression, and suicidal behaviors in a nonclinical adolescent rural population. Information was obtained and analyzed from 539 rural nonclinical students (253 boys and 286 girls), ranging from 14-18 years of age, from three high schools in a midwestern part of the United States that included town and rural residents. All participants received a demographic sheet, a hopelessness inventory (HSC), a depression inventory (CDI), and two suicide inventories (SBQ, Zung IPS). Nine separate multiple regressions were computed to determine the correlation between the criterion variable, suicidal behaviors, and a combination of two predictive variables, depression and hopelessness, taking into account the factors of gender and place of residence. The results indicated that in a rural, nonclinical adolescent population, depression and hopelessness, singly, were significant predictors of suicidal behaviors. When hopelessness was partialed out of depression, depression was still a significant predictor for both boys and girls. However, when depression was partialed out of hopelessness, hopelessness did not predict for girls, but did modestly predict for boys. Two-way ANOVAs were utilized to determine if depression, hopelessness, or suicidal behaviors were related to gender or place of residence. The results indicated that depression and suicidal behaviors, but not hopelessness, were related to gender. Depression, hopelessness, and suicidal behaviors were not related to place of residence. Chi-square tests were computed to determine if differences existed between girls and boys on the number of suicide threats, thoughts, and attempts. Results indicated that boys and girls differed significantly on the number of suicidal threats and thoughts, but not on attempts. Nearly twice as many girls as boys reported threatening suicide, and half again as many girls as boys reported thinking about suicide. Although differences between boys and girls, on reported suicide attempts, did not achieve statistical significance, girls reported attempting suicide half again as often as boys. Chi-square tests were also run to determine if differences existed for place of residence (town or county); and no significant differences were found.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Nelson, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Academic guidance counseling

COinS