Risk factors for suicide attempts among Navajo adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Rates of adolescent suicide in the United States are highest among Native Americans but little is known about risk factors for suicide attempts in this population.


METHODS
To identify risk factors for self-reported suicide attempts by Navajo adolescents, we analyzed the 1988 Indian Health Service Adolescent Health Survey that was administered to 7,254 students in grades 6 through 12 on the Navajo reservation. The responses of students reporting a past suicide attempt were compared to others.


RESULTS
Nearly 15 percent (N = 971) reported a previous suicide attempt; over half of those admitted to more than one attempt. Controlling for age, a logistic regression model revealed the following associations with suicide attempts: a history of mental health problems (OR = 3.2); alienation from family and community (OR = 3.2); having a friend who attempted suicide (OR = 2.8); weekly consumption of hard liquor (OR = 2.7); a family history of a suicide or attempt (OR = 2.3); poor self-perception of health (OR = 2.2); a history of physical abuse (OR = 1.9); female gender (OR = 1.7); and sexual abuse (OR = 1.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts to prevent adolescent suicide attempts in this population should target individuals with those risk factors of the highest risk and prevalence of exposure.
Grossman
D C
DC
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle.
Milligan
B C
BC
Deyo
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012934:Social Isolation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires