Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Bislig City Division
Bislig City National High School
Bislig City

SUICIDE AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT

Jasferjay Samoya
Kristine Bonotan
Andrei Adlawan
Kiana Yuzon
Aldrin Dura
Yearmeh Candia
Vanessa Montes
RESEARCHERS
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Suicidal behaviour is developmentally mediated, but the degree to which

interventions for suicidal behaviours have been developmentally tailored has varied

widely. Published controlled studies of psychosocial treatment interventions for reducing

adolescent suicidal behaviour are reviewed, with a particular emphasis on the

developmental nuances of these interventions. In addition, developmental

considerations important in the treatment of suicidal adolescents are discussed. There

are insufficient data available from controlled trials to recommend one intervention over

another for the treatment of suicidal youth, but interventions that are sensitive to the

multiple developmental contexts have potential for greater effectiveness in reducing

adolescent suicidal behaviour (Weisz & Hawley, 2002).

In the community, this topic is not new and had been a common issue among

households. Such idea could arise, sometimes from the community itself and the

environment it provides to the settlers. Influence could come from the neighbourhood,

and if the neighbourhood emanate a negative atmosphere, it could affect the person

around them.

Hence the researchers will focus on determining whether there is a significant

difference on cognitive ability and economic impact of suicide in the community.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to identify if there is a significant effect of

suicide on economic impact on the community.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to identify whether suicide does have a significant effect on the

community.

Specifically, it aims to answer the following:

1. What are the main causes of suicide in the community to teens under 18

years old?

2. Does suicide affect the community economically?

3. Does suicide have negative effects on the community under 18 years old?

Statement of the Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis:

1. Suicide does not affect a community’s economy negatively.

Alternative Hypothesis:

2. Suicide affects a community’s economy negatively.

Significance of the Study

This study is essential to readers under serious emotional dilemma that can lead

them to dark thoughts of ending their lives. This study will help them cope and

understand what and how they acquired such emotions and we will offer a few solutions

and answers.

The study will be relevant, important, and significant to the following:

Researchers – They will have new insights about this research topic and its

details. This will also serve as another topic source for other researchers.

Local Government Officials – They will find the findings of the study beneficial

in the course of developing and improving the certain actions for suicide type

people.

Students - This study will be beneficial to other students because they would be

aware of the reasons why people and their fellow students commit suicide.

Community – They would be aware of the reasons of suicides and its effects on

e economic impact.
Scope and Limitation of the Study

Any conducted survey through questionnaires will only cover students under 18

years old, and the audience is selected within the community or locality (from schools,

barangays, etc.) The actual study is for those who had emotional problems or under

serious life issues. Also, this focuses on mental and social health and no more than

that.

Definition of Key Terms

 Suicide – is the act of intentional causing one’s own death.

 Depression – is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of low

mood that is present across most situations.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter provides the review of related literature and studies. With the use of

the literature and studies, both local and foreign, the researchers gained ideas and

concepts as a reference and this will strengthen the study.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A. Local Literatures

According to Cantor, suicide is a mental health issue of concern to many

practitioners and researchers in psychology (2000).

Different scholars have expressed the same regret for the lack of research on ethno

cultural differences in youth suicide behaviour and the need to conduct more

comparative studies, necessary to develop culturally responsive prevention and

intervention strategies. The authors reviewed 82 publications on youth suicide that have

considered, to different degrees, the ethnicity/culture of the population studied. Part 1 of

this article explored youth suicide rates and methods (SLTB, this issue), while the

present paper examines risk and precipitating factors and attitudes toward suicide in

young people from a cross-cultural perspective. This is according to Suicide and Life-

Threatening Behaviour (2007).

B. Foreign Literatures

Suicide does not have one universally accepted definition. It can however be

defined, simply, as intentional self-inflicted death.1,2,3 Scheidman defines it as “the

conscious act of self-induced annihilation, best understood as multidimensional malaise

in a needful individual who defines an issue for which the suicide act is perceived as the

best solution.”1 Suicide is not a random or pointless act; on the contrary it is a way out

of a problem.2 Suicide is a significant cause of death worldwide. It is rated as one of the

first eight leading causes of death annually in South Africa.4, 5. About 5000 suicides

were recorded in South Africa annually.6 Suicide is considered a psychiatric

emergency, and its prevalence is increasing (SM Masango et al, 2014)

According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year close to 800 000 people

take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide

is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting

effects on the people left behind. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and was the

second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2015. Suicide does

not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the

world. In fact, over 78% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries

in 2015. Suicide is a serious public health problem; however, suicides are preventable

with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. For national responses to

be effective, a comprehensive multisector suicide prevention strategy is needed. This is

according to World Health Organization (2018).

The Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health, in partnership with the

University of Edinburgh (Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change and General

Practice Section) and the University of Stirling (Department of Applied Social Science

and Department of Nursing and Midwifery), were commissioned by the then Scottish
Executive to undertake a review of the literature on risk and protective factors for

suicide and suicidal behavior (McLean et el, 2008).

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

A. Local Studies

Suicide prevention is given a low priority in many Western Pacific countries due to

competing health problems, stigma and poor understanding of its incidence and

aetiology. Little is known about the epidemiology of suicide and suicidal behaviour in the

Philippines and although its incidence is reported to be low, there is likely to be under-

reporting because of its non-acceptance by the Catholic Church and the associated

stigma to the family. This study aims to investigate trends in the incidence of suicide in

the Philippines, assess possible underreporting and provide information on the methods

used and the reasons for suicide (Maria Theresa Redaniel et. al, 2011).

The study conducted by Randy M. Page, Jun Yanagishita, Jiraporn,

Suwanteerangkul, Emilia Patricia Zarco, and Ching Mei-Lee,Nae-Fang Miao aims to

assess the level of suicide attempts in three school-based samples of Southeast Asian

adolescents (Taipei, Taiwan; the Philippines; Chiang Mai, Thailand) and determine

whether adolescent suicide attempters score higher on measures of hopelessness and

loneliness relative to nonattempters. It was hypothesized that hopelessness and

loneliness would be related to suicide attempts, and that hopelessness would continue

to be associated with suicide attempts when controlling for loneliness. The prevalence

of suicide attempts across the three samples of Asian youth were not consistent with

Taiwanese girls and boys as the most likely to have ever attempted suicide. As
expected, results showed that suicide attempters (in past 12 months and ever) scored

higher on hopelessness and loneliness than nonattempters across all three samples

and for both genders. However, the statistical control of loneliness demonstrably

weakened the association between suicide attempt behaviour and hopelessness across

the samples and for both genders, and resulted in nonsignificant ANCOVA tests for

some of the sample-gender groups. These results attest to the need for more research

investigating connections between youth suicide attempts, hopelessness and loneliness

in adolescent populations. Loneliness should be included as a potential determinant of

youth suicidal behaviour in future research (Randy M. Page et al, 2006).

The comparative effect of economic abuse and other forms of abuse in predicting

depression and other mental health disorders has not been previously investigated

despite its relevance for mental illness prevention. Objective. To determine the

differential association of economic abuse on psychological distress and suicide

attempts. Study Design. We used cross-sectional data from women aged 15–49 years

in the 2008 Philippines Demographic and Health Surveys (PDHS) (N = 9,316). Results.

Adjusting for sociodemographic confounders revealed positive associations between

economic, physical, or psychological abuse and suicide attempts and psychological

distress. Psychological and economic abuse were the strongest predictors of suicide

attempts and psychological distress, respectively. Economic abuse was also negatively

associated with psychological distress. Comorbidity with one mental health disorder

greatly increased the odds of reporting the other mental health disorder. Overall, the

results elucidate the differential effects of these forms of abuse on women’s mental

health (Diddy Antai Ayo Oke et al, 2014).

 B. Foreign Studies

Forty-nine suicide cases were drawn from an original sample of 151 consecutive

youth suicide deaths. We used information from 270 interviews with parents and other

survivors to evaluate mental health treatment sought for and by the decedent and

barriers to mental health treatment (Michelle A. Moskos et al, 2007)

It is unclear whether certain DSM-IV depressive symptoms are more prevalent

among individuals who die in the context of a major depressive episode and those who

do not, whether this is associated with proximal or distal suicide risk, and whether

depressive symptoms cluster to indicate suicide risk (Alexander McGirr et al, 2007).

The research method in suicide studies has been primarily quantitative, and suicide

remains without an adequate or accepted general theory that incorporates multiple

disciplines and perspectives. Dependence on quantitative research limits an

understanding of the complexity of suicide. This article argues for the use of mixed

methods for suicide research. Three key topics in suicide research are highlighted: risk

factors for suicide, efficacy of suicide prevention, and cultural factors in suicide and

suicide prevention. Mixed methods will expand knowledge of suicide by integrating

theory-based variables and subjectivity as objects of inquiry. Mixed methods will allow

for a broadening of research questions, more substantive understanding, and are

necessary for a multidimensional and multidisciplinary suicidology (Michael J. Kral et al,

2011)
 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter will present the different methods that will be capitalized throughout

the conduction of the study.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This study is a Descriptive or Survey Research in relation to economic impact

and views of some respondents to the subject about suicide.

RESPONDENT OF THE STUDY

The respondents of the study will be some selected students, Barangay Officials,

and some chosen people from the local community of Poblacion and Barangay San

Fernando, Bislig City.

RESEARCH LOCALE

This study is conducted in Bislig City National High School, Poblacion and

Barangay San Fernando, Bislig City.

SAMPLING DESIGN

The sample size is determined through Slovin’s Formula (1+3.3logn) through a

random selection of 4 classes from Grade 7-10; with 10 students each, which is a total

number of 40 students; either STE or Non-STE classes in Bislig City National High

School.
DATA GATHERING INSTRUMENT

In this study, a questionnaire will be utilized for the collection of data. This

questionnaire include questions about the respondent’s ideas and views about the topic

of suicide, and what they think about how it can affect the local economy.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

After the collection of data from surveys through questionnaires ensured with

confidentiality, the data will undergo initial analysis like classification of views from

different sexes. The number of respondents is considered and is presented in graphs.

DATA ANALYSIS

With the data organized in graphs, and being a descriptive study, the data will be

analysed through mean and standard deviation of how respondents view suicide either

negatively or positively to the economic aspect.

 CHAPTER IV

Presentation, Interpretation, and Analysis of Data

This chapter will show the data and is interpreted and analysed basing on

responses and questionnaires answered by respondents related to the topic of suicide

and how it they cope up with what they hear and think with the negativity or the feeling

of depression. Answers that are personal are treated with confidentiality.

Respondents’ Response

I. STUDENTS

Figure I. Question Number 1

1. How often do you hear news about suicide?

Grade Level Always Sometimes Seldom Never

Grade 7 6 4 0 0
Grade 8 1 8 0 1
Grade 9 3 5 2 0
Grade 10 3 6 0 1

Basing on the data in Figure 1.33% had heard about suicide cases very often

and 57% said sometimes, which is a bit alarming. At the respondents’ age bracket 12-

16, this type of news could affect them mentally at certain length than those who seldom

(5%) or never (5%) heard of suicide. Usually, this personal and sensitive topic could

affect those around it through a vibe of negativity and is really depressing, causing

people to consider the idea as well.

Figure II. Question Number 2

 2. Did you ever felt depressed?

Grade Level Yes No

Grade 7 5 5

Grade 8 5 5

Grade 9 8 2

Grade 10 6 4

For the case of depression, which is the usual cause of self-inflicted death, 60

percent, which is a serious number, had admitted to have felt depression.

*Note: personal ideas gathered from questionnaires are kept with utmost confidentiality.

Figure III. Question Number 3

3. If you ever felt depressed what did/would you do to overcome it?

Grade Level Have Develop Closer family Others

something self-interest ties;
different to be strengthen
busy with belief in God,
hanging out
with friends
Grade 7 5 6 7 0
Grade 8 2 7 7 0
Grade 9 1 5 6 0
Grade 10 2 0 9 0

Those varied ideas above are provided for further references in citing possible

solution to avoid more cases of suicide. The most preferred move against depression

are closer family ties; strengthening belief in God, and hanging out with friends which 29

respondents chose. 18 said that developing self-interest help/will help them in

overcoming negativity of depression and 10 said keeping themselves busy let those

ideas subside.

Figure IV. Question Number 4

4. Did it ever come to your mind to commit suicide?

Grade Level Yes No

Grade 7 3 7

Grade 8 2 8

Grade 9 4 6

Grade 10 1 8

40%, from the 60% that stated for ever feeling depressed had admitted to even

consider the idea of taking their life, which could be a very big problem. With this

number, though lesser than half of the respondents, is still serious and a bit

questionable.

*Note: personal ideas gathered from questionnaires are kept with utmost

confidentiality.

5. What do you think about ending one’s life on his/her own? How does it affect the

economy of your community?

Most answers are discussing about affecting the community’s growth rate, and

could lessen the work force, by number, and mental health. And basing on that way
of thinking means the victim thinks negatively and tend to degrade him/her. The way

of thinking can be possibly from the environment or the community the person was

in.

Some answers also include that a victim’s death could be a waste in his possible

potential to help the community, with the brain gain or brain gain assumed balanced.

Almost all of the respondents said it was wrong in the eyes of God, and is a mortal

sin.

By the number of people who admitted to even considering ending their lives, out

of those 10 people, the Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) is only 1. Only one out of

ten of samples is likely to deviate. In the case of experiencing depression, the MAD

is also 1, out of 24 respondents. However, the researchers also want to see if results

vary if experiencing depression could actually lead to suicidal thoughts, so a T-test is

conducted, and the result is that by conventional criteria, the difference is considered

to be statistically significant. But by small number samples, it could not guarantee to

be accurate.

Also, with the case of gender, the ratio to male to female is 1:9. Initial

interpretation could be the difference in emotional capabilities/strength, but this does

not immediately testify female to be weaker emotionally since these are only

thoughts and there is no clear attempt. This is an interesting topic, and is further

discussed in the recommendations.

 II. BARANGAY OFFICIALS

1. Are there any cases of suicide in your community before?

RESPONDENTS YES NO

Barangay Officials 7 1

2. How many cases of suicide have ever happened in your community?

Most of the Barangay officials said there are 2 cases suicide within their

term.

3. How does that issue affect your community?

Respondents Causes a bad Affect usual Causes fear , Others

reputation and activity in the commotion,
people community anxiety, etc.
avoiding the among the
community people
Barangay 1 0 7 0
Officials

4. How much likely does young people commit suicide in your community?

Respondents More Likely Likely Less Likely Not Likely

Barangay 0 1 7 0
Officials

5. The usual root of the event is:

 Depression: tends to be the main cause, where some mentioned

“problems, indespersed, defeat, emotional problems.”

 IV

CONCLUSION

With the study “Suicide and its Economic Impact,” the researchers formulated the

following conclusions based on the study’s main objective:

 Suicide mainly affects the community through causing fear, commotion,

anxiety, etc. as according to the Barangay Officials’ statements.

 It can affect population growth which can affect the potential workforce.

 Basing on The American Institute of Stress, women are more likely to

experience depression and stress, which justifies the greater number of

the ones who considered the idea of suicide. Again, it does not involve

actual attempt and is only linked to depression. Men are more likely to

commit suicide. Women are more ruminative than men, that is, they tend

to think about things more—which, though a very good thing, may also

predispose them to developing depression. In contrast, men are more

likely to react to difficult times with stoicicism, anger, or substance misuse,

and men are more active in a community’s workforce, not to stereotype or

discriminate in any way, but because of the job opportunities in terms of

the kind of career especially in undergraduate jobs.

 RECOMMENDATIONS

Suicide, however bad in the eyes of a catholic society, is a reoccurring scenario

that cannot be fully prevented. The following are the researcher’s recommendations in

regards to the future studies on the issue of suicide:

 Suicide is a very personal topic considering its roots and main causes.

 Family history is an important factor, and should be dealt with privacy.

Best done at a small sample size, or even best if includes only ONE.

 Suicide is a very broad topic, so specifying actual topic will get the job

done easier.
DOCUMENTATION