Abstract
Background
Informed by diathesis-stress models of suicide risk, this paper investigated the role of proximally-occurring stressful life events in the first transition from suicidal ideation to suicide attempt in adolescence. Interactions between stressful life events and psychiatric disorders in relation to this progression were also examined.
Methods
Data are from a subsample (N = 928) of adolescents with lifetime suicidal ideation from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement. Logistic regression analyses compared adolescents who had transitioned to a first suicide attempt (n = 81) in the year prior to the study to adolescents with suicidal ideation only (n = 847).
Results
Multivariate logistic regressions implicated increased risk for progression from suicidal ideation to a first suicide attempt in the presence of a recent romantic break-up as well as more recent stressful life events. However, among adolescents with suicidal ideation and either a recent romantic break-up or above-average recent stressors, neither a disruptive behavior disorder, mood disorder, nor a substance use disorder intensified the risk for progressing to a first suicide attempt.
Limitations
Analyses are cross-sectional and therefore limit causal inferences.
Conclusions
Findings underscore the importance of comprehensive suicide risk evaluations that consider proximally-occurring interpersonal stressors which may influence the first transition from thinking about suicide to acting in adolescence.
Informed by diathesis-stress models of suicide risk, this paper investigated the role of proximally-occurring stressful life events in the first transition from suicidal ideation to suicide attempt in adolescence. Interactions between stressful life events and psychiatric disorders in relation to this progression were also examined.
Methods
Data are from a subsample (N = 928) of adolescents with lifetime suicidal ideation from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement. Logistic regression analyses compared adolescents who had transitioned to a first suicide attempt (n = 81) in the year prior to the study to adolescents with suicidal ideation only (n = 847).
Results
Multivariate logistic regressions implicated increased risk for progression from suicidal ideation to a first suicide attempt in the presence of a recent romantic break-up as well as more recent stressful life events. However, among adolescents with suicidal ideation and either a recent romantic break-up or above-average recent stressors, neither a disruptive behavior disorder, mood disorder, nor a substance use disorder intensified the risk for progressing to a first suicide attempt.
Limitations
Analyses are cross-sectional and therefore limit causal inferences.
Conclusions
Findings underscore the importance of comprehensive suicide risk evaluations that consider proximally-occurring interpersonal stressors which may influence the first transition from thinking about suicide to acting in adolescence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 499-504 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Volume | 241 |
| Early online date | 14 Aug 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2018 |
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Interpersonal conflict
- Suicidal ideation
- Suicide attempt
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted author manuscript)
This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Elsevier at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032718311972. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.