Summer jobs help prevent suicidal tendencies in at-risk teens
March 26th, 2009 - 5:14 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Mar 26 (ANI): A new study from University of Iowa has found that summer jobs can significantly reduce suicidal behaviour in at-risk teens - as it creates self-esteem.
According to Rob Baller, associate professor of sociology in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, summer employment is more of a deterrent than holding a job during the school year, attending church, participating in sports.
“Summer employment is thought to be beneficial because it creates self-esteem while reducing isolation and substance abuse, and it does not conflict with school work in the way a job during the school year could,” said Baller.
When a friend of a friend attempts suicide, at-risk teens are more likely to seriously consider doing so.
The study showed that working a paid summer job 20 or more hours a week creates immunity against the friend-to-friend diffusion of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
At-risk teens who are 16 or younger can work just 10 hours a week in the summer to reap the same benefit.
However, the unemployment rates for teens have continued to climb throughout the economic downturn.
“If unemployment continues to rise, teens may have a tough time finding jobs this summer,” said Kelly Richardson, co-author of the study and a data analyst at the Iowa City VA Medical Centre.
“Possible solutions could include working for pay within the family or for a friend of the family,” she added.
The study will be published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour. (ANI)
- Self-esteem rises as people age but starts declining around retirement - Apr 02, 2010
- Higher income, better health key to self-esteem - Apr 02, 2010
- Blogging relieves teens of social anxiety - Jan 05, 2012
- Family acceptance protects LGBT youth against depression, suicide - Dec 07, 2010
- Poor behaviour doesn't always lead to poor grades - Mar 30, 2011
- Youngsters prefer self-esteem over sex, money - Jan 07, 2011
- Lack of employment options fuel burnout in job - Apr 04, 2012
- For young people, sex and paychecks come after self-esteem - Jan 07, 2011
- Blind praise harms school kids - Mar 15, 2011
- Young People Crave Self-Esteem More Than Sex, Researchers Say - Jan 12, 2011
- Acne is more than a nuisance for some adolescents - Mar 16, 2011
- Unlawful killing of newborns '5 times higher than thought' - Dec 14, 2010
- High esteem prompts powerful women to stray - Apr 28, 2011
- Food in small packets make people eat more - Oct 28, 2011
- Facebook can boost self-esteem: Study - Mar 06, 2011
Tags: attending church, behaviours, data analyst, economic downturn, finding jobs, friend of a friend, friend of the family, friend to friend, iowa college, medical centre, possible solutions, risk teens, social behaviour, suicidal behaviour, suicidal tendencies, suicidal thoughts, summer employment, summer job, summer jobs, unemployment rates