Prompt
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2023), suicide is the second-leading cause of death among adolescents, with nearly 20% of high school students reporting thoughts of suicide. Erikson’s psychosocial theory identifies the period of adolescence as a time when young people are struggling with their identity and experimenting with different roles.
As you reflect on these ideas, respond to the following in your post:
What role do you believe an adolescent’s environment might play in the challenges they experience with identity and role identification?
What connections do you see between Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development and the high rate of suicidal ideation among adolescents?
How does the SADPERSONS Scale reflect aspects of Erickson’s theory?
[This discussion helps to meet MLOs 2 and 4]
Citation:
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2023). What you need to know about youth suicide. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Youth-Suicide
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Adolescence is a crucial period in a person's life where they undergo significant physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes. It is during this time that individuals develop their identity and experiment with different roles. The environment in which adolescents grow up can have a significant impact on the challenges they face in developing their identity and role identification.
The adolescent's environment includes their family, peers, school, and broader community. These factors shape their beliefs, values, and sense of self. Negative or unsupportive environments can contribute to feelings of confusion, low self-esteem, and a lack of direction. For example, if an adolescent grows up in a family that puts excessive pressure on academic success, they may struggle to develop their own interests and sense of self outside of academic achievements.
Peer relationships are also crucial during adolescence. Adolescents often seek validation and acceptance from their peers, and if they are surrounded by peers who engage in negative behaviors or have unhealthy coping mechanisms, it may influence their own sense of identity and increase the risk of suicidal ideation.
Erikson's psychosocial theory of development aligns with the high rate of suicidal ideation among adolescents. According to Erikson, the adolescent stage is marked by the psychosocial crisis of identity versus role confusion. During this stage, adolescents strive to develop a stable and cohesive sense of self. However, if they are unable to successfully navigate this crisis, they may experience role confusion, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and a lack of purpose.
The high rate of suicidal ideation among adolescents can partially be understood as a consequence of unresolved identity and role confusion. These adolescents may feel lost, unsure of who they are, and unable to find their purpose in life. This profound sense of internal conflict and emotional distress can contribute to thoughts of suicide as a means of escape.
The SADPERSONS Scale, a tool used to assess suicide risk, reflects aspects of Erickson's theory by considering various psychosocial factors. The acronym stands for Sex, Age, Depression, Previous attempt, Ethanol use, Rational thinking loss, Social supports lacking, Organized plan, No spouse, and Sickness. These factors not only assess immediate risk factors but also take into account an individual's overall psychological well-being and socio-emotional support systems.
This scale acknowledges the influence of an individual's environment and psychosocial factors on their vulnerability to suicidal ideation. For example, the lack of social supports or a stable relationship (No spouse) and the absence of positive coping skills (Rational thinking loss) can contribute to feelings of isolation and hopelessness, exacerbating an individual's struggle with identity and role confusion.
In conclusion, an adolescent's environment plays a significant role in the challenges they face in developing their identity and role identification. Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and the high rate of suicidal ideation among adolescents are interconnected, as unresolved identity and role confusion can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair. The SADPERSONS Scale reflects aspects of Erickson's theory by considering various psychosocial factors that contribute to an individual's vulnerability to suicidal ideation.
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