Study Design
We conducted a non-experimental survey research study.We used demographic performa with a modified suicidal ideation questionnaire to collect the essential data from the mothers of adolescents to evaluate their awareness regarding suicidal behaviour among adolescents.
Qualitative study sample and sampling
Study participants were primarily mothers of adolescents of selected wards at Angadipuram panchayat. Selection was carried out using convenience sampling technique.
Data sources and data collection instruments
We employed two types of data sources: Demographic performa, Modified Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire
Demographic Performa
We developed a tool to collect demographic data of the study subjects in regard to their, age of the mother, no. of children, no. of children in adolescent age, type of family, religion, education of the mother, occupation of the mother, annual income, exposure to suicidal incident within immediate surrounding.
Modified Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire
The tool was developed through modification in order to assess the level of awareness regarding suicidal behaviour of adolescents among mothers by using a rating scale on the behaviour exhibited by their child during the mentioned time frame.
Data collection procedures
Semi structured interview was conducted in a face to face approach in Malayalam by the investigators.
Data analysis
For the qualitative data, a framework approach to analysis was used. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for reaching the conclusion of the study.
Ethical considerations
Ethical approval was obtained from Angadipuram panchayat for conducting the research study.
Findings
The findings of the study are presented in 3 sections
Section A: Distribution of demographic variables
Section B: Analysis of awareness regarding suicidal behaviour of adolescents among mothers of adolescents
Section C: Association between the levels of awareness regarding suicidal behaviour with selected demographic variables
SECTION A: DISTRIBUTION OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Percentage distribution of samples according to their demographic variables.
Sl.No.
|
Demographic variables
|
|
Frequency
|
Percentage
|
1.
|
Age in years
|
30 to 34
35 to 39
40 to 44
45 to 50
|
7
29
47
17
|
7%
29%
47%
17%
|
2.
|
Number of children
|
1
2
3
Above 3
|
12
60
26
2
|
12%
60%
26%
2%
|
3.
|
Number of children in adolescent age group
|
1
2
3
Above 3
|
66
32
2
0
|
66%
32%
2%
0%
|
4.
|
Type of family
|
Nuclear Family
Joint Family
|
57
43
|
57%
43%
|
5.
|
Religion
|
Hindu
Muslin
Christian
Others
|
40
38
22
0
|
40%
38%
22%
0%
|
6.
|
Education
|
Primary education
Secondary education
Graduate
Post Graduate
|
50
35
13
2
|
50%
35%
13%
2%
|
7.
|
Occupation
|
Homemaker
Self employed
Private employee
Government employee
|
57
20
21
2
|
57%
20%
21%
2%
|
8.
|
Monthly Income
|
Below 10,000
10,000 to 20,000
21,000 to 30,000
Above 30,000
|
44
45
11
0
|
44%
45%
11%
0%
|
9.
|
Area
|
Urban
Rural
|
90
10
|
90%
10%
|
10.
|
History of suicide in family
|
Yes
No
|
21
79
|
21%
79%
|
SECTION B: ANALYSIS OF AWARENESS REGARDING SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR OF ADOLESCENTS AMONG MOTHERS OF ADOLESCENTS
Frequency and percentage distribution of samples according to their level of awareness
Sl.No.
|
Level of awareness
|
Frequency (n)
|
Percentage
|
1
|
Very poor
|
89
|
89%
|
2
|
Poor
|
9
|
9%
|
3
|
Moderate
|
2
|
2%
|
4
|
Good
|
0
|
0%
|
5
|
Excellent
|
0
|
0%
|
The data presented in the table shows that the majority of the sample, 89 (89%) were having very poor awareness, 9(9%) had poor awareness and remaining 2 (2%) had moderate awareness regarding suicidal behaviour of adolescents.
SECTION C: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF AWARENESS REGARDING SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR WITH SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Association between the level of awareness regarding suicidal behaviour of adolescents among samples and research variables
Sl. No.
|
Demographic Variable
|
Degree of Freedom
|
Chi square test value
|
Inference
|
1
|
Age in years
|
6
|
6.93
|
Not significant
|
2
|
Number of children
|
6
|
13.02
|
Significant
|
3
|
Number of children in adolescent age
|
4
|
1.00
|
Not significant
|
4
|
Type of family
|
2
|
2.40
|
Not significant
|
5
|
Religion
|
4
|
2.16
|
Not significant
|
6
|
Education
|
6
|
3.45
|
Not significant
|
7
|
Occupation
|
6
|
6.95
|
Not significant
|
8
|
Monthly income
|
4
|
1.63
|
Not significant
|
9
|
Area
|
2
|
5.50
|
Not significant
|
10
|
History of suicide in family
|
2
|
1.05
|
Not significant
|
*Significant at p≤ 0.05
Table shows that Chi square value of age (χ2 = 6.93, table value = 12.59), Number of children (χ2 = 13.02, table value = 12.59), Number of children in adolescent age group (χ2 = 1.00, table value = 9.49), Type of family (χ2 = 2.40, table value = 5.99), Religion (χ2 = 2.16, table value= 9.49), Education (χ2 = 3.45, table value =12.59), Occupation (χ2 = 6.95, table value = 12.59), Monthly income (χ2 = 1.63, table value= 9.49), Area ( χ2 = 5,50, table value = 5.99), History of suicide (χ2= 1.05, table value= 5.99),
Where less than is the table value at 0.05 level of significance, which reveals that there was no association between levels of awareness with selected demographic variables.