ORIGINAL PAPER
Self-image and suicidal and violent behaviours of adolescent girls
1
Department of Psychology, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia,
Katowice, Poland
Submission date: 2015-12-06
Final revision date: 2016-03-31
Acceptance date: 2016-04-25
Online publication date: 2016-05-20
Publication date: 2016-05-20
Health Psychology Report 2016;4(4):303-314
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
psychological aspects of illnesspsychosocial factors in the etiology of illnesseshealth attitudes and behaviorchild and adolescent health
ABSTRACT
Background
An increase in self-destructive and aggressive behaviours in adolescents has been observed in recent years. The present study focused on self-perception of adolescent girls who show different types of extreme destructive behaviours (suicidal or violent). The main aim of the study was to identify personality predictors of suicidal and violent behaviour in adolescent girls.
Participants and procedure
The study involved 163 female participants aged 13-17 years, including 44 suicide attempters (without extreme aggressive behaviour towards others), 46 girls using violence against others (without extreme self-destructive behaviour) and 77 girls exhibiting no destructive behaviour. The following research methods were applied: the Adjective Checklist (ACL) (versions “What am I like?” and “What would I like to be?”), and the Sentence Completion Test.
Results
The girls showing extreme destructive behaviour, particularly self-destructive behaviour, were found to have a more negative self-image, a lower level of consistency of the self-image, lower self-esteem and a higher level of inner conflict than the control group. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to determine predictors of extreme self-destructive or aggressive behaviours. Escalated inner conflicts within the attitude towards oneself appear to be the most important predictor of suicidal behaviour in adolescent girls, whereas self-perception based on strength seems to be the most significant predictor of violent behaviour in adolescent girls.
Conclusions
The research showed that destructive behaviour among adolescents is a multidimensional phenomenon. The statistical model presented in the study has been proved to have a high value. The results can help in successful prevention and therapy of destructive behaviours in adolescents.
An increase in self-destructive and aggressive behaviours in adolescents has been observed in recent years. The present study focused on self-perception of adolescent girls who show different types of extreme destructive behaviours (suicidal or violent). The main aim of the study was to identify personality predictors of suicidal and violent behaviour in adolescent girls.
Participants and procedure
The study involved 163 female participants aged 13-17 years, including 44 suicide attempters (without extreme aggressive behaviour towards others), 46 girls using violence against others (without extreme self-destructive behaviour) and 77 girls exhibiting no destructive behaviour. The following research methods were applied: the Adjective Checklist (ACL) (versions “What am I like?” and “What would I like to be?”), and the Sentence Completion Test.
Results
The girls showing extreme destructive behaviour, particularly self-destructive behaviour, were found to have a more negative self-image, a lower level of consistency of the self-image, lower self-esteem and a higher level of inner conflict than the control group. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to determine predictors of extreme self-destructive or aggressive behaviours. Escalated inner conflicts within the attitude towards oneself appear to be the most important predictor of suicidal behaviour in adolescent girls, whereas self-perception based on strength seems to be the most significant predictor of violent behaviour in adolescent girls.
Conclusions
The research showed that destructive behaviour among adolescents is a multidimensional phenomenon. The statistical model presented in the study has been proved to have a high value. The results can help in successful prevention and therapy of destructive behaviours in adolescents.
REFERENCES (55)
1.
Aalsma, M., Lapsley, D. K., & Flannery, D. (2006). Narcissism, personal fables, and adolescent adjustment. Psychology in the Schools, 43, 481–491.
2.
Adrian, M., Miller, A. B., McCauley, E., & Vander Stoep, A. (2016). Suicidal ideation in early to middle adolescence: sex-specific trajectories and predictors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57: 645–653.
3.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatry Association.
4.
Ang, R. P., & Yusof, N. (2005). The relationship between aggression, narcissism and self-esteem in Asian children and adolescents. Current Psychology, 24, 113–122.
5.
Arie, M., Haruvi-Catalan, L., & Apter, A. (2005). Personality and suicidal behavior in adolescence. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 2, 37–47.
6.
Arim, R. G., Dahinten, V. S., Marshall, S. K., & Shapka, J. D. (2011). An examination of the reciprocal relationships between adolescents’ aggressive behaviors and their perceptions of parental nurturance. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40, 207–220.
7.
Biel, K. (2009). Przestępczość dziewcząt. Rodzaje i uwarunkowania [Delinquency in girls. Types and conditions]. Kraków: Wydawnictwo WAM.
8.
Blasco-Fontecilla, H., Baca-Garcia, E., Dervic, K., Perez-Rodriguez, M., Lopez-Castroman, J., Saiz-Ruiz, J., & Oquendo, M. A. (2009). Specific Features of Suicidal Behavior in Patients With Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70,1583–1587.
9.
Bleiberg, E. (1994). Borderline disorders in children and adolescents: The concept, the diagnosis, and the controversies. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 58, 169–196.
10.
Brausch, A. M., & Gutierrez, P. M. (2010). Differences in non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts in adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 233–242.
11.
Calvete, E., & Orue, I. (2012). Social information processing as a mediator between cognitive schemas and aggressive behavior in adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40, 105–117.
12.
Cash, S. J., & Bridge, J. A. (2009). Epidemiology of youth suicide and suicidal behavior. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 21, 613–619.
13.
Collin-Vézina, D., Hébert, M., Manseau, M., Blais, M., & Fernet, M. (2006). Self-concept and dating violence in 220 adolescent girls in the child protective system. Child Youth Care Forum, 35, 319–326.
14.
Crapanzano, A. M., Frick, P. J., & Terranova, A. M. (2010). Patterns of physical and relational aggression in a school-based sample of boys and girls. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 38, 433–445.
15.
Currie, C., Zanotti, C., Morgan, A., Currie D., de Looze, M., Roberts, C., Samdal, O., Smith, O. R. F., & Barnekow, V. (2012). Social determinants of health and well-being among young people. Health behaviour in school-aged children (HBSC) study: international report from the 2009/2010 survey. Copenhagen: Publications WHO.
16.
Çetin, F. Ç. (2001). Suicide attempts and self-image among turkish adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30, 641–651.
17.
Donellan, M. B., Trzesniewski, K. H., Robins, R. W., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2005). Low self-esteem is related to aggression, antisocial behavior, and delinquency. Psychological Science, 16, 328–335.
18.
Gough, H. G., & Heilbrun, A. B. (1983). The Adjective Check List Manual. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
19.
Haight, W., Marshall, J., Hans, S., Black, J., & Sheridan, K. (2010). They mess with me, I mess with them”: Understanding physical aggression in rural girls and boys from methamphetamine-involved families. Children and Youth Services Review, 32, 1223–1234.
20.
Herba, C. M., Tranah, T., Rubia, K., & Yule, W. (2006). Conduct problems in adolescence: three domains of inhibition and effect of gender. Developmental Neuropsychology, 30, 659–695.
21.
Jakab, Z. (2010). Foreword. In D. Sethi, K. Hughes, M. Bellis, F. Mitis, & F. Racioppi (eds.). European report on preventing violence and knife crime among young people (p. iv). Copenhagen: Publications WHO.
22.
Juros, A., & Oleś, P. (1993). Struktura czynnikowa i skupieniowa Testu Przymiotnikowego ACL H. G. Gougha i A. B. Heilbruna (Przydatność dla diagnostyki psychologicznej) [The factor and focus structure of the Adjective Check List test by H.G Gough and A.B. Heilbrun]. In J. Brzeziński & E. Hornowska (eds.), Z psychometrycznych problemów diagnostyki psychologicznej [Psychometric problems in psychological diagnostics] (pp. 171–201). Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu im. A. Mickiewicza.
23.
Kerr, D. C., Washburn, J. J., Feingold, A., Kramer, A. C., Ivey, A. Z., & King, Ch. A. (2007). Sequelae of aggression in acutely suicidal adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 817–830.
24.
Kubacka-Jasiecka, D. (2006). Agresja i autodestrukcja z perspektyw obronno-adaptacyjnych dążeń Ja [Aggression and Self-destruction in the context of defensive and adaptative self aspirations]. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego.
25.
Kuhlberg, J. A., Peña, J. B., & Zayas, L. H. (2010). Familism, parent-adolescent conflict, self-esteem, internalizing behaviors and suicide attempts among adolescent Latinas. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 41, 425–440.
26.
Lau, K. S. L., Marsee, M. A., Kunimatsu, M. M., & Fassnacht, G. M. (2011). Examining associations between narcissism, behavior problems, and anxiety in non-referred adolescents. Child and Youth Care Forum, 40, 163–176.
27.
Laukkanen, E., Honkalampi, K., Hintikka, J., Hintikka, U., & Lehtonen J. (2005). Suicidal ideation among help-seeking adolescents: association with a negative self-image. Archives of Suicide Research, 9, 45–55.
28.
Law, B. M. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2016). A 6-year longitudinal study of self-harm and suicidal behaviors among chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 29 (1 Suppl): S38-48.
29.
Linehan, M. M. (1987a). Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: cognitive behavioural approach to parasuicide. Journal of Personality Disorders, 1, 328–333.
30.
Linehan, M. M. (1987b). Dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder. Theory and method. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 51, 261–276.
31.
Linehan, M. M. (1989). Cognitive and behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder. In A. Tasman, R. E. Hales, & A. J. Frances (eds.), Review of Psychiatry. Volume 8 (pp. 84–102). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
32.
Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioural treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press.
33.
Makara-Studzińska, M. (2001). Struktura „obrazu własnej osoby” u młodzieży po próbach samobójczych [Structure of the Self-picture of the individual]. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska Lublin- Polonia Sectio D, LV, Suppl. VII, 150–155.
34.
Manseau, H., Fernet, M., Hébert, M., Collin-Vézina, D., & Blais, M. (2008). Risk factors for dating violence among teenage girls under child protective services. International Journal of Social Welfare, 17, 236–242.
35.
Martowska, K. (2012). Lista Przymiotników ACL. Polska normalizacja [The Adjective Check List ACL. Polish normalization]. Warszawa: Pracownia Testów Psychologicznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychologicznego.
36.
Meares, R. (2012). A disassociation model of borderline personality disorder. New York, London: W.W Norton & Company.
37.
Miller, A., Rathus, J. H., & Linehan, M. M. (2007). Dialectical behaviour therapy with suicidal adolescents. New York, London: Guilford Press.
38.
Moretti, M. M., Holland, R., & McKay, S. (2001). Self-other representations and relational and overt aggression in adolescent girls and boys. Behavioral Sciences & The Law, 19, 109–126.
39.
Nuttin, J. (1968). Struktura osobowości [The structure of personality]. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
40.
Pajer, K., Leininger, L., & Gardner, W. (2010). Recognition of facial affect in girls with conduct disorder. Psychiatry Research, 175, 244–251.
41.
Pawłowska, B., Potembska, E., Zygo, M., & Olajossy, M. (2015). Prevalence of self-injury, suicidal ideation, plans and attempts in adolescents aged 13 to 19 years of age. Polish Journal of Public Health, 125, 55–59.
42.
Pilecka, B. (2005). Osobowościowe korelaty prób samobójczych u młodzieży [Personality correlates of suicide attempts in adolescents]. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego.
43.
Rulison, K. L., Gest, S. D., Loken, E., & Welsh, J. A. (2010). Rejection, feeling bad, and being hurt: using multilevel modeling to clarify the link between peer group aggression and adjustment. Journal of Adolescence, 33, 787-800.
44.
Sacks, J. M., & Levy, S. (1950). The Sentence Completion Test. In L. E. Abt & L. Bellak (eds.), Projective psychology: Clinical approaches to the total personality (pp. 357–402). New York: Knopf.
45.
Steele, M. M., & Doey, T. (2007). Suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents. Part 1: Etiology and risk factors. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52, 21–33.
46.
Undheim, A. M., & Sund, A. M. (2010). Prevalence of bullying and aggressive behavior and their relationship to mental health problems among 12- to 15-year-old Norwegian adolescents. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 19, 803–811.
47.
Vermeiren, R., Schwab-Stone, M., Ruchkin, V. V., King, R. A., van Heeringen, C., & Deboutte, D. (2003). Suicidal behavior and violence in male adolescents: a school-based study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42, 41–48.
48.
Vivona, J. M., Ecker, B., Halgin, R. P., Cates, D., Garrison, W. T., & Friedman, M. (1995). Self- and other-directed aggression in child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 434–444.
49.
Westen, D., & Chang, Ch. (2000). Personality pathology in adolescence: a review. Adolescent Psychiatry, 25, 61–100.
51.
Wolińska, J. M., & Drwal, R. Ł. (1995). Test przymiotnikowy (ACL) H. G. Gougha i A. B. Heilbruna w badaniach samooceny i percepcji społecznej [The Adjective Check List by H.G. Gough and A.B. Heilbrun in study of self-esteem and social perception]. In R. Ł. Drwal, Adaptacja kwestionariuszy osobowości: wybrane zagadnienia i techniki [Adaptation of personality questionnaires: Selected Issues and Techniques] (pp. 67–92). Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
52.
Woźniak, E., Talarowska, M., Orzechowska, A., Florkowski, A., & Gałecki, P. (2013). The prevalence of suicide attempts among children and adolescents. Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski, 34, 154–157.
53.
Zelkowitz, P., Guzder, J., Paris, J., Feldman, R., Roy, C. & Schiavetto, A. (2004). Borderline pathology of childhood: implications of early axis II diagnoses. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 13, 58–61.
54.
Zhang, J., Norvilitis, J. M., & Ingersoll, T. S. (2007). Idiocentrism, allocentrism, psychological well being and suicidal ideation: a cross cultural study. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 55, 135–148.
55.
Ybrandt, H. (2008). The relation between self-concept and social functioning in adolescence. Journal of Adolescence, 31, 1–16.
Copyright: © Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk This is an Open Access journal, all articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
| eISSN: | 2353-5571 |
| ISSN: | 2353-4184 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
