To Assess and Compare Depression and Suicide Risk among Residential and Non Residential Adolescent Girls

Depression in children and adolescents is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. Depression and suicide can destroy the very essence of teenager’s personality1. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare depression and suicide risk among residential and non residential adolescent girls of selected educational institutions of Mysore. Descriptive and comparative survey was used. Using Non probability convenience sampling technique. Total of 120 samples were selected which consisted of 60 residential and 60 non residential adolescent girls. Tool used to collect the data consisted of three part: Proforma for selected personal variables (11 item), Modified Beck Depression Inventory II (20 item) and Becks hopelessness scale (20 item).Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The depression and suicide risk scores of residential adolescent girls were higher when comparing with non residential adolescent girls. The mean depression score for residential adolescent girls were 19.43 and non residential adolescent girls were 16.15 and it was found to be significant at 0.05 level. The mean suicide score for residential adolescent girls were 7.53 and non residential adolescent girls was 6.11and it was found to be significant at 0.05 level. Hence, there was significant difference in mean depression and suicide scores between residential and non residential adolescent girls. There was significant relationship between depression score and suicide risk score among residential and non residential adolescent girls. Chi square was computed to find the association with selected personal variables and were not significant at 0.05 level except for significance noted for hobbies of residential adolescent girls and suicide risk. The study has revealed that adolescent depression is strongly linked to suicide risk. The nurses should explore areas of seriousness of attempts, mental status, extend of stress and likelihood of repeated suicide attempts and should create awareness about depression and suicide risk and prevention strategies, which would enable the students to grow as responsible citizen and contribute to the development of the nation.