'n Maatskaplikewerk–ondersoek na lewensbegeleiding vir adolessente dogters wat selfmoordgedrag toon

Abstract

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is one of the three main causes of deaths in the age group 15 to 34 years. Persons who previously attempted to commit suicide are more inclined to succeed with a second attempt. With the eventual focus on suicide prevention by means of life guidance as an assistance strategy in social work, the researcher undertook qualitative exploration amongst a specific group of adolescent girls between ages 15 and 21 years. These girls were each admitted to hospital after having attempted to commit suicide. The researcher used semi–structured in–depth interviews as a qualitative data collection method until data saturation was reached. The investigation was discussed against the backdrop of the strength perspective, crisis intervention, the system theory and existentialism. A discussion was led in Article 1 about findings regarding the psychosocial needs of adolescent girls who displayed suicidal behaviour. From the interviews, three overarching needs were foregrounded, namely the need for love and acceptance, the need for communication and the need for a secure future. The psychosocial needs were subdivided into sub–themes, which were discussed respectively. In Article 2 a discussion followed regarding the findings in terms of the support systems adolescents possess. Life guidance was eventually based on the needs of adolescent girls, as identified in Article 1, and the involvement and responsibility of the support systems, as discussed in Article 2. The guidelines for life guidance, as set out in Article 3, serve as a guiding recommendation and framework for intervention programmes for adolescent girls who display suicidal behaviour, as well as for the support systems involved.