The prevalence and correlates of suicidality in a sample of adolescents in Guangdong, China

Background: Suicidality is a public health concern among Chinese adolescents. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a large sample of Chinese adolescents. Methods: A total of 30,644 Chinese students (56.7% male; Mage = 14.14 years) completed the questionnaires, and a multinomial logistic regression was conducted to analyze the data. Results: About 17.0% of the participants reported having suicidal ideation and 4.4% reported suicide attempts in the past year. Adolescents with more rumination, more severe depressive symptoms, more communication problems with their parents, and more feelings of burdensomeness were more likely to be suicidal ideators or suicide attempters rather than non-suicidal controls. Additionally, male adolescents, adolescents from incomplete families, adolescents whose parents have lower educational levels, and adolescents with less rumination, more severe depressive symptoms, less communication problems with their parents were more likely to be suicide attempters rather than suicidal ideators. Discussion: Suicidality is prevalent and correlates with various familial and individual factors in Chinese adolescents. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings were discussed.