Citation
Singer, Jonathan & Musliner, Katherine L. (2012). Effect of youth suicidal behavior on perceived connection to mother, father, and family. 2012 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine if there is an association between youth suicidal behavior and subsequent perceived parental connection. We hypothesized that youth who reported suicidal ideation or attempt at W1 would report greater increases in perceived support at W2 than non-suicidal youth. Key variables included W1 & 2 report of suicidal ideation, attempt, and attempt with medical attention, and three 4-item scales measuring maternal, paternal and family connectedness. In order to compare suicidal and non-suicidal youth’s connectedness over time we created change scores by subtracting connectedness scores at W1 from connectedness scores at W2. Multiple linear regression models were conducted, controlling for LBG status, race, single/two parent household, parental income, gender, and grade level (middle or high school). In the adjusted models, non-suicidal youth reported a significantly greater decrease in perceived connectedness than suicidal youth for mothers (t=-.6.56, p<.001), fathers (t=-25.74, p<.0001) and family (t=-2.99, p=.0033) between W1 and W2. Although there was a significant difference between non-suicidal and suicidal youth, our hypothesis was only partially supported: Youth who made suicide attempts with medical attention reported increases in perceived connectedness with mother (m = .24) and family (m = .22), but not father (m = -.36). Suicidal behavior might serve to increase youths’ parent-family connectedness.URL
https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/events/2012%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdfReference Type
Conference proceedingBook Title
2012 Add Health Users ConferenceAuthor(s)
Singer, JonathanMusliner, Katherine L.