PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, SELF-ESTEEM, DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL IDEATION OF RURAL ADOLESCENTS.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 214
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Educational Psychology.; Psychology, Clinical.; Psychology, Developmental.
Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between perception of social support, depression and suicidal ideation among rural adolescents. A descriptive correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 83 male and 108 female students from seven high schools in rural western Colorado. Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlations and hierarchical regression. Demographic data were not expected to alter the manner in which the variables were related.

Significant positive relationships were found between self-esteem and each dimension of social support, suggesting that adolescents with higher levels of self-esteem will likely have a more positive perception of social support than will adolescents with lower levels of self-esteem. All dimensions of support were found to be significantly related to level of depression, suggesting that psychological discomfort may relate to alterations in perception of support. Self-esteem level was found to be significantly related to dimensions of depression. Therefore, it appears that among rural adolescents, a low level of self-esteem can be accompanied by emotional distress. Perception of support from parents was the only dimension of support that explained a significant degree of variance in suicidal ideation after self-esteem and mood/affect, energy/interest and self-blame were considered.

In summary, this study of perception of support, self-esteem, depression and suicidal ideation among rural adolescents demonstrates the complexity of these attitudinal variables. In terms of self-esteem, a baseline level can be assessed. Valuated judgments are made in response to environmental influences, such as the need for scholastic abilities and social competence. Based on these valuations, fluctuations occur above and below the baseline self-esteem level. In turn, corresponding alterations in mood/affect, energy/interest, self/blame, and perception of social support may be apparent. The support network will respond to these fluctuations, depending on its composition and capabilities. Within this theoretical framework, certain support correlates can be predictive of suicidal ideation.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-12, Section: B, page: 5547.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1989.

School code: 0227.