A Study on the Relationship Between Causes of Suicide Among Chinese High School Students and Verbal Behavior Patterns in Their Families of Origin

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Psychology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600 Selangor, Malaysia

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Abstract

This study investigates how suicidal ideation is associated with verbal communication patterns within the family environments of Chinese high school students. A total of 151 high school students aged 17 to 19 were randomly selected within China to complete an online questionnaire survey. To measure the relevant variables, three validated instruments were utilized: the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI), the localized Chinese adaptation of the Family Environment Scale (FES-CV), and the EMBU (Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran), which assesses parental rearing styles. Data were analyzed using SPSS for correlation analysis, ANOVA, descriptive statistics, and linear regression. The results revealed suicidal ideation was strongly inversely related to family support (r = −. 732, p <. 01), while a modest but statistically significant positive link was observed between suicidal thoughts and rejecting parenting styles (r =. 165, p <. 05). Regression analysis indicated that both family support and parenting style were statistically significant predictors of suicidal ideation (F = 105. 870, p <. 001), with the regression model explaining 58. 8% of the total variance in suicidal ideation (R² =. 588). These findings highlight the essential influence that both family interaction dynamics and parenting approaches have on adolescents’ psychological well-being, suggesting that families should foster a supportive and positive verbal environment in daily education to reduce suicide risk.