Suicidal Preoccupation and Self-directed Aggression Measured by Thematic Apperception Test in Normal Adolescents

Pages: 354-360
Ishanya Raj,1 Nishant Goyal,2 Madhumita Bhattacharyya,3 and Jayanath, B. P.4 (Clinical Psychologist, Motilal Nehru Divisional Hospital, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh1, Department of Psychiatry, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand2, Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand3, and Consultant Psychiatrist, Joint District Hospital, Manjhanpur, Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh4)

Adolescent suicidal behavior is a major public health issue. Recent research has already identified a range of risk factors (grouped as psychiatric, environmental or social variables, psychological & personality factors) for suicidal behaviour. Though much considerable work has been done in this field but less of them included the use of Thematic Apperception Test (T.A.T) as a tool, despite the fact that T.A.T is the most useful tool in revealing the unconscious materials. The subject’s suicidal tendency has been studied always as a whole, so the finer differentiation of its other groups are still to be made. The present study is in a way, likely to test, verify and illuminate relevance of psychodynamic findings on the basis of the findings of T.A.T regarding the suicidal preoccupation and self-directed aggression. The present study was a cross sectional community based study. Sample was 54 adolescents from two co-education schools in Ranchi who were assessed on GHQ-28 and 4 selected cards of Thematic Apperception Test. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (Male & Female) in terms of age and scores on various domains of GHQ-28. Significant difference was found between the domains of Hero and Parental figures in comparison between Male and Female participants. The frequency of suicidal preoccupation and self-directed aggression was found to be 37% and 40% respectively. In 35% of cases the adolescents identified themselves with a person of the opposite sex. 54% of the adolescent’s adequacy of superego was found to be inappropriate. The nature of anxieties for 31% of adolescents was physical harm or punishment and 39% of them used projection as a defense mechanism.