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AASCIT Journal of Psychology

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Suicide Amongst Youth Attitudes Towards Suicide and Depression Among Young People in Albania

AASCIT Journal of Psychology
Vol.4 , No. 2, Publication Date: Apr. 27, 2018, Page: 30-35

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Authors

[1]	Artemisi Shehu/Dono, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social Science, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania.
[2]	Rovena Kortoçi, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social Science, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania.

Abstract

There have only been a few confirmed studies so far that links attitude towards suicide, socio-demographic factors, and predictive factors all together. Such as, depression, perceived stress, life satisfaction and also there has been a few contradictory findings between the balance of these relationships, as well. Albania is luckily, part of a group of countries with low suicide rates with about 5.93% suicides per 100,000 inhabitants per year (WHO, 2014). The purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes towards suicides amongst young people in relation to the depression level. The main objective of the study is to determine if there is a correlation between these two variables, whether the high level of depression is related to a positive attitude towards suicide. Data about attitude towards suicide and depression has been retrieved from these instruments: Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Attitude towards Suicide Scale. The data collected from the youth participants accumulated of 232 respondents (n= 232), which namely consisted of 70 males and 162 females which is equivalent to a 30.2% and 69.8% ratio. The results showed that a positive attitude towards suicide was related positively with depression level. The findings of the study showed a statistically significant link between high levels of depression with Repulsion from Life (MAST- RL) (r=.561**), Attraction to Death (MAST- AD) (r=.260**), Agreement (ATTS) (r=.304**), Avoidance to talk (ATTS) (r=.190**, p=0.04), Loneliness & complain (ATTS) (r=.204**, p=0.02). In light of the particular limitations of the study it has been discussed the implications of the main findings, namely suggest negative attitudes towards suicide are more likely to be a risk factor than a protective one for suicidal behaviour in society. The youth, to a large average, show a high average in pro-life factors, thus presenting in that way, unapproved attitudes towards suicide.

Keywords

Attitude, Suicide, Depression, Youth

Reference

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