Who will be more likely to seek help? The relationship between suicidal ideation, suicide literacy, attitudes toward suicide and help-seeking intention in male and female adolescents.

Abstract

Objectives: Among adolescents, suicide is a critical global concern, yet research is limited in low- and middle-income countries. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the interrelations among suicide-related factors (specifically, suicidal ideation, suicide literacy, attitudes toward suicide, and intended help-seeking sources) when experiencing suicidality in Vietnam. Additionally, it examines sex differences across these factors and identifies significant predictors of help-seeking intention for suicidality.Methods: A sample of 2 976 Vietnamese adolescents (mean age = 16.0 years, SD = 1.35 years; female = 50.6%) completed self-report measures as part of their annual school screenings.Results: More than one in four adolescents experienced some level of suicidal ideation. Overall, suicide literacy was low, particularly among males, who also reported higher levels of stigmatisation toward suicide. Low suicide literacy was linked to increased stigmatisation of suicidal individuals. Adolescents most commonly sought help from family and friends, rather than from professionals. Contrary to our hypothesis that females, those with lower stigma, and those with higher suicidal ideation would be more likely to seek help, it was found that males, those with higher stigma, and those with lower suicidal ideation demonstrated stronger help-seeking intentions. Additionally, male adolescents exhibited a polarised pattern, reporting both high intentions to seek and not seek help.Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive and sex-based suicide prevention and intervention for Vietnamese adolescents, as cultural factors and sex roles may shape their perceptions and approaches to addressing suicide.