Throughout human history, suicide has often been an outlet for people who are experiencing emotional distress to the point where they do not desire living anymore. Suicide is defined as the action of killing oneself intentionally. As of recently, suicide in adolescence has emerged as a major topic of conversation for the educational community. As an increasing number of educators are experiencing the loss of their own students from suicide, the factors that cause suicidal behaviors have been examined in further detail. By gaining greater insight about the psychological, social, and biological factors that contribute to adolescent suicide, the educational community will better be able to counteract some of these factors and work to decrease
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The suicide rate tends to increase over the lifespan, but recent trends have shown a sharp jump in these rates at adolescence. According to Berk (2010), “suicide is the third leading cause of death among American youths” (p.331). Suicide ranks in third place behind motor vehicle accidents and homicides. Jacobson, Batejan, Kleinman, and Gould (2013) also state that suicide accounts for approximately 4,600 deaths of adolescents yearly in the United States alone. This number of deaths is diminished by the approximate number of suicide attempts. Jacobson et al. (2013) states that 936,180 US high school students attempt suicide each year, which is a 6.3% yearly prevalence rate. With the prevalence rate of adolescent suicide attempts rapidly approaching 10%, there is reason for the educational community to be concerned. In recent years, there has been extensive research conducted about the psychological, social, and biological factors that contribute to adolescent suicide. This research has been aimed at giving educators the tools they need to combat suicidal behaviors in their adolescent …show more content…
Peer pressure is likely to initially be associated with delinquency, but it also has a great impact on adolescent suicide. 3,881 Irish adolescents were examined in a 2013 study to observe the impact of exposure to suicidal behavior. According to McMahon, Corcoran, Keeley, Perry, and Arensman (2013), “One third of the sample had been exposed to suicidal behavior, and exposed adolescents were eight times more likely also to report own self-harm.” These adolescents were influenced by the suicidal behaviors of their friends and family, and were therefore more likely to implement self-harm as a coping strategy. By displaying suicidal behavior after being exposed to the suicidal behaviors of friends, that is obviously an example of peer pressure. Instances with family members can also be examples of peer pressure, but this can be caused by other factors other than social factors. Depressive and suicidal tendencies can often be genetic, which leads to the biological factors contributing to adolescent
The suicide rate tends to increase over the lifespan, but recent trends have shown a sharp jump in these rates at adolescence. According to Berk (2010), “suicide is the third leading cause of death among American youths” (p.331). Suicide ranks in third place behind motor vehicle accidents and homicides. Jacobson, Batejan, Kleinman, and Gould (2013) also state that suicide accounts for approximately 4,600 deaths of adolescents yearly in the United States alone. This number of deaths is diminished by the approximate number of suicide attempts. Jacobson et al. (2013) states that 936,180 US high school students attempt suicide each year, which is a 6.3% yearly prevalence rate. With the prevalence rate of adolescent suicide attempts rapidly approaching 10%, there is reason for the educational community to be concerned. In recent years, there has been extensive research conducted about the psychological, social, and biological factors that contribute to adolescent suicide. This research has been aimed at giving educators the tools they need to combat suicidal behaviors in their adolescent …show more content…
Peer pressure is likely to initially be associated with delinquency, but it also has a great impact on adolescent suicide. 3,881 Irish adolescents were examined in a 2013 study to observe the impact of exposure to suicidal behavior. According to McMahon, Corcoran, Keeley, Perry, and Arensman (2013), “One third of the sample had been exposed to suicidal behavior, and exposed adolescents were eight times more likely also to report own self-harm.” These adolescents were influenced by the suicidal behaviors of their friends and family, and were therefore more likely to implement self-harm as a coping strategy. By displaying suicidal behavior after being exposed to the suicidal behaviors of friends, that is obviously an example of peer pressure. Instances with family members can also be examples of peer pressure, but this can be caused by other factors other than social factors. Depressive and suicidal tendencies can often be genetic, which leads to the biological factors contributing to adolescent