Suicidal ideation among single, pregnant adolescents: The role of sexual and religious knowledge, attitudes and practices

Chan LF 1 , Mohamad Adam B 2 , Norazlin KN 3 , Siti Haida MI 4 , Lee VY 5 , Norazura AW 6 Show all authors , Ek Zakuan K 5 , Tan SM 5

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Psychiatry, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: laifchan@gmail.com
  • 2 Biostatistics Unit, National Clinical Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Pediatrics, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
  • 4 School of Psychology and Human Development, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 5 Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Medical Social Welfare, National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
J Adolesc, 2016 10;52:162-9.
PMID: 27572955 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.08.006

Abstract

Pregnant adolescents are a high-risk population for suicide. However, a knowledge gap still exists on how sexual and religious knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) influence suicidal ideation (SI) in teenage pregnancy. We aim to explore the interplay between psychiatric diagnoses, sociodemographic factors and KAP of sexual and religious issues as risk factors of SI among 114 pregnant Malaysian adolescents from 6 rehabilitation centers and a tertiary hospital. Single sexual partner was an independent predictor of SI, suggesting the role of less sexual experience as a risk factor for SI after controlling for major depression. Participants who were unsure versus those who agreed with the statement that most religions' viewed sex outside marriage as wrong had a lower risk of SI after controlling for major depression. Pregnant adolescents with a single sexual partner were significantly associated with current SI. Ambivalence towards religious prohibitions on premarital sex may protect against suicidal ideation.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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