Disability and Youth Suicide: A Focus Group Study of Disabled University Students
Main Article Content
Keywords
disability, suicide, social isolation
Abstract
For young people thoughts of suicide are based on various social factors. The research literature in this area reveals that there are two important interrelated factors that correlate with suicide rates: being young and being disabled. This study was undertaken in order to explore possible reasons for this increased tendency for young disabled people to commit suicide. The study was carried out at a university in Turkey with a group of disabled students. All the members of the focus group had thoughts of suicide and felt that their disability played an important role in creating these thoughts. The basic premise of the research was that physical disability increases the young person’s isolation and social loneliness and this can generate ideas of suicide in the young person’s mind that may be acted upon.
References
Anderson, E. M. (1973). The disabled schoolchild: A study of integration in primary school. London: Methuen.
Anderson, E. M., Clarke, L., & Spain, B. (1982). Disability in adolescence. London: Methuen.
Barter, J. T., Swaback, D. O., & Todd, D. (1968). Adolescent suicide attempts: A follow-up study of hospitalized patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 19, 523-527.
Battin, N. P., Rhodes, R., & Silvers, A. (1998). Physician-assisted suicide: Expanding the debate. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 25 (2), 402-414.
Berman, A. L., & Jobes, D. A. (1991). Adolescent suicide: Assessment and Intervention. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Brent, D. A., Perper, J. A., & Goldstein, C. E. (1988). Risk factors for adolescents suicide: A comparaison of adolescent suicide victims with suicidal inpatients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 45, 581-588.
Brier, N. M., & Demb, H. B. (1981). Adolescence in the developmentally disabled. Psychiatric Annals, 11, 104-110.
Burcu, E. (2003, August). Alcohol and drug use in young apprentices: Effect of social control in the family. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32 (4), 291-299.
Clemons, J. T. (1990). Introduction. In J. T. Clemons (Ed.), Perspectives on suicide. Kentucky: John Knox Press.
Coleman, D. (2000). Assisted suicide and disability. Human Rights: Journal of the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, 27(1), 1-11.
Council of Disabled People (I), (1999). Meetings at the main board on commission reports about the disabled people and modern society life. Ankara.
Curran, D. K. (1987). Adolescent suicidal behaviour. New York: Harper and Row.
Diekstra, R. F. (1988, June), City lifestyles. World Health, 18-19.
Diekstra, R. F. (1992). Epidemiology of suicide: Aspects of definition classification and preventive policies. In P. Crepet, G. Ferrari, S. Platt, & M. Bellini (Eds.), Suicidal behaviour in Europe. Rome: John Libbey CIC.
Durkheim, E. (1951), Suicide: A study in sociology. New York: The Free Press.
Edwards, C., & Imrie, R. (2003). Disability and bodies as bearers of value. Sociology, 37(2), 239-256.
Fulthorpe, D. (1974). Spina Bifida: Some psychological aspects. Special Education and Further Trends, 12, 17-20.
Gannotti, M. E., Handwerker, W. P., Groce, N. E., & Cruz, C. (2001, Sept.). Sociocultural influences on disability status in Puerto Rican children. Physical Therapy, 8(9), 1512-1533.
Gerhardt, U. (1989). Ideas about illness. Basingstoke: Macmillan Ltd.
Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Press.
Hafner, H., & Schmidtke, A. (1987). Suicide and suicide research-epidemiology and etiology. Nervenheilkunde, 6,.49-63.
Haim, A. (1976). Adolescent suicide (S. Smith, trans.). New York: International Universities Press, Inc.
Helander, E. (1993). Prejudice and dignity: An introduction to community-based rehabilitation. United Nations Development Program, Report No: E93-111 B.3. New York: UNDP.
Hendin, H. (1990). Suicide among the young: Psychodynamics and demography. In J. T. Clemons (Ed.), Perspectives on suicide (pp. 19-37). Kentucky: John Knox Press.
Holinger, P. C., Offer, D., & Zola, M. A. (1988). A prediction model of suicide among youth. Journal of Mental and Nervous Disorders, 176, 275-279.
Husain, S. A., & Vandiver, T. (1984). Suicide in children and adolescents. United Kingdom: MTP Press.
ICIDH. (1980). International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
Jacobs, J. (1971). Adolescent suicide. New York: Wiley-Interscience.
Krueger, R. A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. London: Sage Pub.
Lee, E. E. (1978). Suicide and youth. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 57(4), 200-204.
Lorber, J., & Schloss, A. L. (1973). The adolescent with Myelomeningocele [Abstract]. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 15(29), 113.
McBride?, E., Hazel, A., & Siegel, L. S. (1997). Learning Disabilities and adolescent suicide. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30(6), 652-660.
Miller, J. P. (1975). Suicide and adolescence. Adolescence, 10(37), 11-24.
Morgan, A. (1972). Like other school leavers? In D. M. Boswell and J. M. Wingrove (Eds.), The handicapped person in the community. London: Tavistock Press.
Morris, J. (2001). Impairment and disability: Constructing an ethics of care that promotes human rights. Hypatia, 16(4), 1-16.
Murphy, R. (1995). Encounters: The body silent in America. In S.R. Whyte & B. Ingstad (Eds.), Disability and culture. London: University of California Press.
Olafsen, O. M. (1983). Suicide among cancer patients in Norway. In J. P.Soubrier and J. Vedrinne (Eds.), Depression and suicide. Paris: Pergamon Press.
ÖSYM. (1999). Distribution of disabled students in terms of Universities (1997-98-99). Ankara: Student Selection and Placement Center.
Retterstol, N. (1993). Suicide: A European perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ross, M. (1969). Suicide among college students. American Journal of Psychology, 126(2), 221-222.
Roy, A. (1986). Suicide. Baltimore: Waverly.
Schrut, A. (1968). Some typical patterns in the behavior and background of adolescents girls who attempt suicide. American Journal of Psychiatry, 125, 69-74.
Seiden, R. (1966). Campus tragedy: A study of student suicide. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 71(6), 389-399.
Shaffer, D. (1974). Suicide in childhood and early adolescence. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1, 275-291.
Shaffer, D. (1988). The epidemiology of teen suicide: An examination of risk factors. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 49(9), 36-41.
Shneidman, E. S., Farberow, N. L., & Litman, R. E. (1970). The psychology of suicide. New York: Science House.
Shopsire, J. M. (1990). Sociological perspectives. In J. Clemons (Ed.), Perspectives on suicide. Kentucky: John Knox Press.
Siebers, T. (2001). Disability in theory: From social constructionism to the new realism of the body. American Literary History, 13(4), 737-754.
SIS. (2002). Turkey disability survey. Ankara: State Institute of Statistics Press.
SIS. (2001). Statistics of suicide. Ankara: State Institute of Statistics Press.
Taylor, S. (1999). Health, illness and medicine. In S. Taylor (Ed.), Sociology: Issues and debates. London: Macmillan Ltd.
Wenz, F. V. (1979). Sociological correlates of alienation among adolescent suicide attentismes. Adolescence, 14(53), 19-30.
Whyte, S. R., & Ingstad, B. (1995). Disability and culture: An overview. In S. R. Whyte & B. Ingstad (Eds.), Disability and culture. London: University of California Press.
Younghusband, E., et al. (1970). Living with handicap: Report of a working party on children with special needs. London: National Bureau for Cooperation in Child, Care/National Children’s Bureau.
Anderson, E. M., Clarke, L., & Spain, B. (1982). Disability in adolescence. London: Methuen.
Barter, J. T., Swaback, D. O., & Todd, D. (1968). Adolescent suicide attempts: A follow-up study of hospitalized patients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 19, 523-527.
Battin, N. P., Rhodes, R., & Silvers, A. (1998). Physician-assisted suicide: Expanding the debate. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 25 (2), 402-414.
Berman, A. L., & Jobes, D. A. (1991). Adolescent suicide: Assessment and Intervention. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Brent, D. A., Perper, J. A., & Goldstein, C. E. (1988). Risk factors for adolescents suicide: A comparaison of adolescent suicide victims with suicidal inpatients. Archives of General Psychiatry, 45, 581-588.
Brier, N. M., & Demb, H. B. (1981). Adolescence in the developmentally disabled. Psychiatric Annals, 11, 104-110.
Burcu, E. (2003, August). Alcohol and drug use in young apprentices: Effect of social control in the family. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32 (4), 291-299.
Clemons, J. T. (1990). Introduction. In J. T. Clemons (Ed.), Perspectives on suicide. Kentucky: John Knox Press.
Coleman, D. (2000). Assisted suicide and disability. Human Rights: Journal of the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, 27(1), 1-11.
Council of Disabled People (I), (1999). Meetings at the main board on commission reports about the disabled people and modern society life. Ankara.
Curran, D. K. (1987). Adolescent suicidal behaviour. New York: Harper and Row.
Diekstra, R. F. (1988, June), City lifestyles. World Health, 18-19.
Diekstra, R. F. (1992). Epidemiology of suicide: Aspects of definition classification and preventive policies. In P. Crepet, G. Ferrari, S. Platt, & M. Bellini (Eds.), Suicidal behaviour in Europe. Rome: John Libbey CIC.
Durkheim, E. (1951), Suicide: A study in sociology. New York: The Free Press.
Edwards, C., & Imrie, R. (2003). Disability and bodies as bearers of value. Sociology, 37(2), 239-256.
Fulthorpe, D. (1974). Spina Bifida: Some psychological aspects. Special Education and Further Trends, 12, 17-20.
Gannotti, M. E., Handwerker, W. P., Groce, N. E., & Cruz, C. (2001, Sept.). Sociocultural influences on disability status in Puerto Rican children. Physical Therapy, 8(9), 1512-1533.
Gerhardt, U. (1989). Ideas about illness. Basingstoke: Macmillan Ltd.
Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Press.
Hafner, H., & Schmidtke, A. (1987). Suicide and suicide research-epidemiology and etiology. Nervenheilkunde, 6,.49-63.
Haim, A. (1976). Adolescent suicide (S. Smith, trans.). New York: International Universities Press, Inc.
Helander, E. (1993). Prejudice and dignity: An introduction to community-based rehabilitation. United Nations Development Program, Report No: E93-111 B.3. New York: UNDP.
Hendin, H. (1990). Suicide among the young: Psychodynamics and demography. In J. T. Clemons (Ed.), Perspectives on suicide (pp. 19-37). Kentucky: John Knox Press.
Holinger, P. C., Offer, D., & Zola, M. A. (1988). A prediction model of suicide among youth. Journal of Mental and Nervous Disorders, 176, 275-279.
Husain, S. A., & Vandiver, T. (1984). Suicide in children and adolescents. United Kingdom: MTP Press.
ICIDH. (1980). International classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
Jacobs, J. (1971). Adolescent suicide. New York: Wiley-Interscience.
Krueger, R. A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. London: Sage Pub.
Lee, E. E. (1978). Suicide and youth. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 57(4), 200-204.
Lorber, J., & Schloss, A. L. (1973). The adolescent with Myelomeningocele [Abstract]. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 15(29), 113.
McBride?, E., Hazel, A., & Siegel, L. S. (1997). Learning Disabilities and adolescent suicide. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30(6), 652-660.
Miller, J. P. (1975). Suicide and adolescence. Adolescence, 10(37), 11-24.
Morgan, A. (1972). Like other school leavers? In D. M. Boswell and J. M. Wingrove (Eds.), The handicapped person in the community. London: Tavistock Press.
Morris, J. (2001). Impairment and disability: Constructing an ethics of care that promotes human rights. Hypatia, 16(4), 1-16.
Murphy, R. (1995). Encounters: The body silent in America. In S.R. Whyte & B. Ingstad (Eds.), Disability and culture. London: University of California Press.
Olafsen, O. M. (1983). Suicide among cancer patients in Norway. In J. P.Soubrier and J. Vedrinne (Eds.), Depression and suicide. Paris: Pergamon Press.
ÖSYM. (1999). Distribution of disabled students in terms of Universities (1997-98-99). Ankara: Student Selection and Placement Center.
Retterstol, N. (1993). Suicide: A European perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ross, M. (1969). Suicide among college students. American Journal of Psychology, 126(2), 221-222.
Roy, A. (1986). Suicide. Baltimore: Waverly.
Schrut, A. (1968). Some typical patterns in the behavior and background of adolescents girls who attempt suicide. American Journal of Psychiatry, 125, 69-74.
Seiden, R. (1966). Campus tragedy: A study of student suicide. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 71(6), 389-399.
Shaffer, D. (1974). Suicide in childhood and early adolescence. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1, 275-291.
Shaffer, D. (1988). The epidemiology of teen suicide: An examination of risk factors. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 49(9), 36-41.
Shneidman, E. S., Farberow, N. L., & Litman, R. E. (1970). The psychology of suicide. New York: Science House.
Shopsire, J. M. (1990). Sociological perspectives. In J. Clemons (Ed.), Perspectives on suicide. Kentucky: John Knox Press.
Siebers, T. (2001). Disability in theory: From social constructionism to the new realism of the body. American Literary History, 13(4), 737-754.
SIS. (2002). Turkey disability survey. Ankara: State Institute of Statistics Press.
SIS. (2001). Statistics of suicide. Ankara: State Institute of Statistics Press.
Taylor, S. (1999). Health, illness and medicine. In S. Taylor (Ed.), Sociology: Issues and debates. London: Macmillan Ltd.
Wenz, F. V. (1979). Sociological correlates of alienation among adolescent suicide attentismes. Adolescence, 14(53), 19-30.
Whyte, S. R., & Ingstad, B. (1995). Disability and culture: An overview. In S. R. Whyte & B. Ingstad (Eds.), Disability and culture. London: University of California Press.
Younghusband, E., et al. (1970). Living with handicap: Report of a working party on children with special needs. London: National Bureau for Cooperation in Child, Care/National Children’s Bureau.
Article Sidebar
Published
Dec 2, 2014
Article Details
Issue
Section
Research Articles and Essays
RDS Journal is an open-access journal, create a free account to read full articles and to submit a proposal. For visual arts and multimedia, submission will be considered evidence that you are offering RDS the right to display your work without penalty, compensation or royalties.
Author Biography
Esra Burcu, Department of Sociology, Hacettepe University
Esra Burcu, Ph.D., earned a doctorate from the Department of Sociology in Hacettepe University in 1997. Burcu’s doctorate thesis was entitled, “A Sociological Study on the Subculture Group of Young Apprentices and Skilled Workers.” Burcu became an Associate Professor in 2003 and is still working at the Department of Sociology, Hacettepe University. Burcu’s research interests focus on youth; disability; deviance and social method and techniques.