Suicide risk and protective factors : a network approach : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (by thesis) in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Suicide is a complex phenomenon, with numerous factors contributing to an individual’s risk \nof suicide. To visualise and quantify complex interactions between variables, a novel \napproach called network analysis can be used. The aim of the present study was to explore \nhow risk and protective factors for suicide interact with one another, and to determine which \nfactors were most central to a network of these factors. Using an online survey, cross- \nsectional data was collected from a sample of 515 individuals who lived in New Zealand, \nAustralia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, who were recruited \nthrough either social media or Prolific Academic. A network of 18 risk and protective factors \nfor suicide was estimated using network analysis. In the network, suicidal ideation was \nstrongly related to the suicide risk factors of feeling depressed, anxious, and hopeless, as well \nas substance use and perceived burdensomeness. In contrast, self-esteem, resilience, access to \nmental health services and a positive attitude towards these services were each protective \nagainst suicidal ideation. Factors which had the highest strength centrality were feeling \ndepressed, feeling hopeless, perceived burdensomeness, self-esteem, and social support. The \nresults of this research emphasise the importance of examining protective factors as well as \nrisk factors when determining an individual’s suicide risk.
Author: Mikayla Holman
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3097426734