Gender Differences in Suicidal Ideation during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Iranian Adolescents and its Contributing Factors

Abstract

Objective

Suicidal thoughts in adolescents are common. The COVID-19 pandemic may have further led to an increase. This cross-sectional random sample “online” survey study was conducted in 2021 on 703 adolescents in Iran using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Univariate, bivariate, and multinomial regression analysis, and Odds Ratio (OR) were reported.

Results

The prevalence of suicidal ideation in this sample was 28% and with higher rates in female participants (p = 0.01). It was more prevalent in 16 to 21 years old participants than adolescents with age of 16 and lower. Participants who were academically successful had less suicidal thoughts.

Discussion

Considering the high rate of suicidal ideation among adolescents, it is an emergency that requires effective intervention.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• COVID-19
• suicide

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all participants for their cooperation in implementation of this study. Thanks also go to the Research Improvement Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for improving the use of English in the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Support was received from the Vice-Chancellor for Research Affairs of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran (IR.SUMS.NUMIMG.REC.1400.030)