Adolescent Suicide Ideation in South Korea
Study on Adolescent Suicide
Ideation in South Korea
Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
SooYoun Zong sooyoun961213@gmail.com I. Introduction
What is the most effective way to prevent adolescent suicide? What are the significant and urgent topics that must be studied to prevent adolescent suicide?
One of the causes for adolescents’ mortality in Korea for the last 8 years was suicide, which has been on the top ranking for their death causes (NSO, 2012). Adolescent suicide is a negative and sad phenomenon in all over the social aspects. The effect of adolescent suicide is huge to all social members including close friends, family members, classroom teachers, schools, communities, nations, and eventually the world. However, the suicide rate has been increasing every year in South Korea.
Adolescence is a very important period for us. We became an adult through the physical, mental, social, and moral development. Adolescents seem to have a tendency of breaking away from self-development, or do not want to play by the social rules constructed by teachers and parents. Therefore we try to escape from the oppressed life.
These characteristics are the psychological conflicts of teenagers. Most of my classroom buddies went through these kinds of psychological conflicts. From the developmental theories including Erickson’s and Freud’s understanding of teenagers, I realized it is related to developmental characteristics. When exposed to environmental stresses, adolescents bring up strong impulsivity and problems (Jung, 1998; Jung, 2001; Adams,
Overholser & Spirito, 1994). In South Korea, school tests and entrance exam might be the most stress-providing factors to high school students. Jeong, Ahn and Kim (2003) revealed that high school students showed an increase in stress about their school experience and education. Korea seems to lack effective culture to solve these problems.
Appropriate methods might not have been found to solve our
Ideation in South Korea
Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
SooYoun Zong sooyoun961213@gmail.com I. Introduction
What is the most effective way to prevent adolescent suicide? What are the significant and urgent topics that must be studied to prevent adolescent suicide?
One of the causes for adolescents’ mortality in Korea for the last 8 years was suicide, which has been on the top ranking for their death causes (NSO, 2012). Adolescent suicide is a negative and sad phenomenon in all over the social aspects. The effect of adolescent suicide is huge to all social members including close friends, family members, classroom teachers, schools, communities, nations, and eventually the world. However, the suicide rate has been increasing every year in South Korea.
Adolescence is a very important period for us. We became an adult through the physical, mental, social, and moral development. Adolescents seem to have a tendency of breaking away from self-development, or do not want to play by the social rules constructed by teachers and parents. Therefore we try to escape from the oppressed life.
These characteristics are the psychological conflicts of teenagers. Most of my classroom buddies went through these kinds of psychological conflicts. From the developmental theories including Erickson’s and Freud’s understanding of teenagers, I realized it is related to developmental characteristics. When exposed to environmental stresses, adolescents bring up strong impulsivity and problems (Jung, 1998; Jung, 2001; Adams,
Overholser & Spirito, 1994). In South Korea, school tests and entrance exam might be the most stress-providing factors to high school students. Jeong, Ahn and Kim (2003) revealed that high school students showed an increase in stress about their school experience and education. Korea seems to lack effective culture to solve these problems.
Appropriate methods might not have been found to solve our
References: Adams, D. D., Overholser, J. C. & Spirito, A. (1994). Stressful life events associated with adolescent suicide attempts. Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression : Clinical, experimental, and theoretical aspects. Fremouw, W. J., De perczel, M., & Ellis, T. E. (1990). Suicide risk assessment and response guidelines. Holahan, C. J., Valentiner, D. P., & Moos, R. H. (1995). Parental support, coping strategies, and psychological adjustment: An integrative model with late adolescents. J. Hyekyung. (2001). Predictors of adolescent’s runaway drive. J. Hyekyung, A. Okhee, K. Kyungei. (2003). Predictors of suicide ideation. J. Wooyoung. (1998). Effect of stress and family cohesion to adolescent’s disappearance K Klerman, G. (1987). Clinical epidemiology of suicide. KYCI (Korean Youth Counseling Institute). (2007). Research report about 2007 Adolescent suicide measure investigation. NSO (National Statistical Office). (2012). Annual report on the causes of death statistics. NSO. (2012). Research for causes for adolescent suicide. NSO. (2013). Annual report on the causes of death statistics per 100,000 people. Reynolds, W. M. (1985). Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire, Odessa, FL: Psychological S Somnos, A. D., & Murphy, G. E., Levine, J. L., & Wetzel, R. D. (1996). Cognitive therapy and pharmacotheraphy for depression : Sustained improvement after one year