KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner’s Court here was told that Zara Qairina Mahathir was not a child who consistently displayed signs of severe depression, social withdrawal, hopelessness or suicidal intent.
Child psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, 51, said these findings were based on an overall assessment of the teenager’s developmental profile from birth up to the age of 13.
Drawing on data analysed for her psychological autopsy report, Dr Noor Aishah said there was no clear history of suicide attempts in the teenager’s life.
“In the context of psychological theories related to suicide risk, the assessment must consider whether there is a sense of not being accepted, a feeling of being a burden, the capability to inflict serious self-harm and a combination of acute factors that converge to create risk.
“In Zara’s case, the available data does not strongly indicate that all of these elements were consistently and dominantly present,” she said.
The 76th witness read her statement before Coroner Amir Shah Amir Hassan during the inquest into the teenager’s death yesterday, Bernama reported.
The Psychological Autopsy approach was used to prepare Zara Qairina’s psychological profile, which was constructed to assess whether there was a foundation to support the notion that the teenager had the inclination, intent or psychological state consistent with taking her own life.
“I also evaluated whether there were psychological, social, family, school environment, peer relationship, hostel experience, personal writings, phone communications and witness information factors.”
Dr Noor Aishah said the materials examined included photographs, videos, diaries as well as transcripts of phone conversations between the teenager and her mother.
She added that interviews were also conducted with those who had direct knowledge or close relationships with the teenager including her neighbours, school friends, teachers and wardens.
“My professional conclusion is that Zara’s overall psychological profile paints the picture of a cheerful, sociable, active, loving, generous and motivated child and young adolescent – one with aspirations and a close bond with her mother.
“Although Zara displayed social sensitivity and faced typical adolescent challenges, such as peer conflicts, friendship jealousy, hostel pressures and some situational maladaptive behaviours, these factors alone are insufficient to support the conclusion that she had a stable or planned intent to take her own life,” she said.
