SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: EFFECTS OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, SELF-ESTEEM, AND ADJUSTMENT

The authors examined the direction and extent of the effects of adjustment, perceived social support, and self-esteem on suicidal ideation among young adults exposed to stress. Two hundred thirty male soldiers in compulsory service applying for aid at medical clinics filled out self-report questionnaires. Findings showed that personal resources affect suicidal ideation both directly and indirectly. Both resources studied had moderating effects on the association between adjustment level and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, level of distress mediated the effect of perceived social support on suicidal ideation. Combining moderating and mediating models introduces a comprehensive pattern in which adjustment and resources affect suicidal ideation. Zofnat Lieberman earned her BA and MSW in social work from Tel Aviv University. She has practiced social work in the IDF mental health and MIA departments as well as in civilian clinics. Karni Ginzburg is a lecturer in the Bob Shapell School of Social Work at Tel Aviv University. Her research interests include the reciprocal relations between stress and somatic illness as well as the dynamics of adaptation to various sorts of traumatic events. Her work is focused on both risk and resiliency factors that contribute to quality of life immediately after exposure to traumatic stress and in the longer term. Zahava Solomon is a professor of psychiatric epidemiology and social work at Tel Aviv University and head of the Adler Research Center for Child Welfare and Protection. She received both her BA (1973) and MA (1976) from the University of Haifa, Israel, and her PhD in psychiatric epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh (1980). She joined the Israeli Defense Force in 1981 and served as head of the Research Branch in the Medical Corps between the years 1981 and 1992.