The role of victimization by peers and School connectedness in predicting suicidal thoughts of Adolescent girls

Specific changes during adolescence make them more vulnerable to experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The present study was conducted with the aim to determine the role of victimization by peers and school connectedness in predicting the suicidal thoughts of adolescent girls.

The present study was a descriptive correlation. The population of this research included all the female students in the second year of secondary school in Ahvaz, who were studying in the academic year 2020-2021. The study sample was 343 female students who participated in the research using the available sampling method. To collect data, Beck's suicidal thoughts questionnaires, Illinois bullying, and school connection questionnaires were used.  Research data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression.

The findings showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between being victimized by peers and suicidal thoughts (P < 0.01), and there is also a negative and significant relationship between being connected to school and suicidal thoughts (P < 0.01). The results of multiple regression showed that 21% of the variance of suicidal thoughts is explained by victimization by peers and the connection with school.

Victimization by peers and connection with school can predict the suicidal thoughts of adolescent girls. Therefore, it is suggested that counselors consider the role of these variables to reduce suicidal thoughts and improve the mental health of adolescents.