THE EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION AND MENTAL TRAUMA EXPERIENCE ON SUICIDE RISK AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EXTENDED OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

               Objective: This correlational predictive research was aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, mental trauma experience, suicide risk and predictive factors of suicide risk among students.

               Methods: The sample was selected by stratified random sampling from 421 elementary school students in extended opportunity schools, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Data were collected by the personal questionnaire, Thai Version of the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents, Suicide questionnaires, and Trauma questionnaires. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and logistic regression analysis.

               Results: The results revealed that 72.44 percent of the subjects had depression, 41.09 percent experienced in high trauma level, and 48.22 percent were at risk of suicide. Mild and high level of depression were 3.58 times more likely to have suicide risk (95%CI = 1.95 - 6.82, p = 0.001) and 21.9 times (95%CI = 9.1 - 57.69, p = 0.001). Mental trauma experience in moderate and high level was 4.67 times more likely to suicide risk (95%CI = 2.48 - 9.06, p = 0.001) and 8.48 times (95%CI = 4.61 - 16.11, p = 0.001).

               Conclusion: Teachers, parent and public health personnel should prioritize screening for depression and mental trauma experience to increase sensitivity to surveillance and early suicide prevention among students.