Suicide attempts of friends and family during adolescence and long-term suicidal ideation and attempts: Findings from the 25-year Add Health study

Citation

Liu, L. & Wang, W. (2024). Suicide attempts of friends and family during adolescence and long-term suicidal ideation and attempts: Findings from the 25-year Add Health study. Journal of Affective Disorders. vol. 358 pp. 377-382 , PMCID: 38735584

Abstract

Background: Suicide is a significant global public health concern. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on individual-level risk factors. Against this backdrop, microsystem suicide propinquity, which encompasses suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) within families and peer groups, is significant in elucidating the development and perpetuation of STB in adolescents. Methods: This study utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health, 1994–2018). Adolescents who reported instances of suicide attempts among their friends and family members during Wave 1 were selected (N = 4826). Generalized estimation equations (GEE) and structural equation models (SEM) were employed. Results: GEE analyses indicated that individuals with friends who had attempted suicide exhibited higher risks for suicidal ideation (OR [95 % CI] = 2.57 [2.13, 3.11]) and suicide attempts (OR [95 % CI] = 2.47 [1.78, 3.42]). Also, individuals with family members who had attempted suicide exhibited higher risks for suicidal ideation (OR [95 % CI] = 2.37 [1.62, 3.46]) and attempts (OR [95 % CI] = 2.27 [1.17, 4.41]). However, friends' and family members' suicide attempts failed to show significant interactive effect. Besides, SEM analyses indicated that friends' and family members' suicide attempts were associated with one's long-term suicidal ideation and attempts via depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Suicide attempts of friends and family during adolescence were long-term risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts from adolescence to young adulthood. Moreover, depressive symptoms served as long-term mechanisms in these associations. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.053

Keyword(s)

Adolescence

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Affective Disorders

Author(s)

Liu, L.
Wang, W.

Year Published

2024

Volume Number

358

Pages

377-382

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.053

PMCID

38735584

Reference ID

10430