Risk factors for teen suicide and bullying: An international integrative review

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to analyse risk and protective factors for teen suicide and bullying.

Background: Research shows that high percentages of bully-victims report suicidal thinking or suicide attempts.

Design: This was an international integrative review.

Data sources: Five databases including CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cuiden were searched between January 2010 and December 2020.

Review methods: Review methods included problem identification; search, evaluation and analysis of literature; and presentation of results.

Results: Eighteen studies were included. We grouped the selected articles into seven thematic categories. The most significant risk factors were being male, having a previous personal and/or family suicide attempt, mental health problems, substance abuse, previous physical and/or sexual abuse, low socio-economic level, belonging to a single-parent family, underachievement, family dysfunction and violent environment. The most common protective factors for both suicide and bullying were being female, having good mental health, belonging to a two-parent family, safe school environment, good family relationships and having an involved teacher.

Conclusion: Suicide resulting from bullying is a social and public health problem, so nurse practitioners and paediatric primary care nurses have a responsibility to educate teachers and parents in order to promote early detection and the development of more effective prevention and action plans.

Keywords: adolescent; bullying; nursing; protective factors; risk factors; suicide.