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Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study
Adolescent suicidality is a significant global concern, with numerous factors potentially contributing to its prevalence. However, the specific correlates of suicidality in South Africa remain inadequately understood, particularly in the context of recent social disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pan...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
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Department of Psychology
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483668611792896 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Kganyago, Moloko |
| author2 | Ward, Catherine |
| author_browse | Kganyago, Moloko Ward, Catherine |
| author_facet | Ward, Catherine Kganyago, Moloko |
| author_sort | Kganyago, Moloko |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Adolescent suicidality is a significant global concern, with numerous factors potentially contributing to its prevalence. However, the specific correlates of suicidality in South Africa remain inadequately understood, particularly in the context of recent social disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic, there was a notable increase in suicidality rates, prompting further investigation into its underlying determinants. This study conducted a cross-sectional survey was administered to 161 learners from two schools in Gauteng, South Africa, to examine suicidal ideation and its potential correlates. The survey explored factors including low future expectations, depression, anxiety, strained familial, teacher and peer relationships, experiences of abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, and living in unsafe neighbourhoods. Univariate analyses revealed significant correlations between suicidality and several variables, including depression, strained relationships with both parents, low expectations for the future, household conflict, strained teacher and peer relationships, bullying, cyberbullying, substance abuse, and limited social support. Strongest correlations (r > 0.40) were observed between suicidality and depression, anxiety, relationships with mothers and peers, and experiences of bullying. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that parental relationships and depression were the most critical predictors of suicidality among grade 10 and 11 learners. These findings highlight the urgent need for accessible mental health interventions, particularly within schools, as well as broader efforts to provide support through digital platforms and organizations such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, which offers free resources. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/43387 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:02:39.695Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Department of Psychology |
| publisherStr | Department of Psychology |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/43387 Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study Kganyago, Moloko Ward, Catherine South Africa high school learners Adolescent suicidality is a significant global concern, with numerous factors potentially contributing to its prevalence. However, the specific correlates of suicidality in South Africa remain inadequately understood, particularly in the context of recent social disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic, there was a notable increase in suicidality rates, prompting further investigation into its underlying determinants. This study conducted a cross-sectional survey was administered to 161 learners from two schools in Gauteng, South Africa, to examine suicidal ideation and its potential correlates. The survey explored factors including low future expectations, depression, anxiety, strained familial, teacher and peer relationships, experiences of abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, and living in unsafe neighbourhoods. Univariate analyses revealed significant correlations between suicidality and several variables, including depression, strained relationships with both parents, low expectations for the future, household conflict, strained teacher and peer relationships, bullying, cyberbullying, substance abuse, and limited social support. Strongest correlations (r > 0.40) were observed between suicidality and depression, anxiety, relationships with mothers and peers, and experiences of bullying. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that parental relationships and depression were the most critical predictors of suicidality among grade 10 and 11 learners. These findings highlight the urgent need for accessible mental health interventions, particularly within schools, as well as broader efforts to provide support through digital platforms and organizations such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, which offers free resources. 2026-06-25T10:46:27Z 2026-06-25T10:46:27Z 2026 2026-06-25T10:40:55Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters Masters http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43387 en eng application/pdf Department of Psychology Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | South Africa high school learners Kganyago, Moloko Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Correlates of suicidality in South African high school learners: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | correlates of suicidality in south african high school learners a cross sectional study |
| topic | South Africa high school learners |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43387 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kganyagomoloko correlatesofsuicidalityinsouthafricanhighschoollearnersacrosssectionalstudy |