Discriminating suicide ideation among high-risk youth.
This study examined the hypothesis that among one group of high-risk youth--potential high school dropouts--key psychosocial factors would distinguish adolescents endorsing high suicide ideation from those who do not. Survey data compared high-risk youth with high suicide ideation (n = 43) with randomly selected samples of high-risk (n = 43) and "typical" youth (n = 42) without high suicide ideation. Repeat sampling of comparison groups verified results. Compared to high-risk and typical youth without suicide ideation, high-risk youth with high suicide ideation reported more psychosocial distress, problems with drug involvement, and disrupted family relations. They also described more unmet school goals and perceived a greater likelihood of dropping out of school. Discriminant analysis revealed that depression and low self-esteem were most effective in distinguishing between high-risk youth with and without high suicide ideation; family strain, anger, stress, and drug involvement also were differentiating factors. Implications for school-based screening and prevention programs are discussed within the context of the findings.
Thompson
E A
EA
Reconnecting At-Risk Youth Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Moody
K A
KA
Eggert
L L
LL
D000293:Adolescent; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention