The Direct and Indirect Effects of School and Parental Factors on Suicidality in South Korean Adolescents.

Abstract

Background: Adolescent suicide is a growing social issue in South Korea, exacerbated by a decreasing adolescent population and rising suicide attempt rates. Aims: This study investigates the direct effects of school and parental factors on suicidality in South Korean adolescents and their indirect effects through psychological factors. Method: Using data from 4,650 adolescents who participated in the 2021 Survey on the Mental Health of Teenagers, this study set school factors as school attachment, teacher attachment, and peer attachment; parental factors as parental neglect, interference, and abuse; and psychological factors as depression, anxiety, and strain. Structural equation modeling was used for analysis. Results: School and parental factors had no direct impact on suicidality. However, weak school attachments and negative parental behaviors increased psychological distress, indirectly raising suicidality among adolescents. Limitations: This study could not use all the factors mentioned in the social bonding theory and general strain theory as factors affecting suicidality in the analysis, and the findings are limited to cross-sectional data. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of addressing school, parental, and psychological factors in adolescent suicide. Government, schools, and families must collaborate to improve adolescent mental health through prevention policies, counseling, stress-relief programs, and enhanced communication.