Influence of gender, alcohol use and social support on suicidal and risky sexual behaviour among adolescents

Abstract

Adolescent suicidal behaviour is an increasing phenomenon worldwide. This study investigated; 1) whether there will be a significant difference between gender and suicidal and risky sexual behaviour, 2) whether alcohol use influence suicidal- and risky sexual behaviour, 3) whether social support influence suicidal- and risky sexual behaviour. Data was collected from 161 participants that were randomly selected from three different high schools in Mafikeng. The sample included 82 (50.9%) males and 79 (49.1%) females. The mean age of the participants was 15 years, with a range from 12 to 18 years. Factorial analysis of variance was used to test hypotheses. Results indicated a significant main effect of gender on risky sexual behaviour, p < .05, but non-significant effect of gender on suicidal behaviour. Results also indicated a significant main effect of alcohol use on suicidal behaviour, p < .05. A significant main effect of alcohol use on risky sexual behaviour was also indicated by the results, p < . 001. The influence of social support on suicidal behaviour was not supported by the results, but the influence of social support on risky sexual behaviour was supported. Further research is needed to determine methods to educate students, school personnel and family members to recognise and to respond immediately to suicidal behaviour. Community awareness will play a major role in trying to reduce suicidal behaviour.