Developmental differences in risk factors for suicide attempts between ninth and eleventh graders.
In order to identify differences in risk factors for suicide attempts throughout adolescence, this study utilized a school-based survey of ninth (n = 1,192) and eleventh graders (N = 1,055). Suicide attempts were associated with cigarette and alcohol use, family violence, and depression for ninth graders and with illicit drug use, school violence, and sexual abuse for eleventh graders, while having friends was protective for both groups. Additionally, having more than one risk factor imparted an exponential risk for suicide attempts (ninth > eleventh graders). The differences detected are consistent with developmental changes of adolescence and represent important information for identification of at-risk youth.
Hacker
Karen A
KA
Institute for Community Health, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA. Khacker@challiance.org
Suglia
Shakira F
SF
Fried
Lise E
LE
Rappaport
Nancy
N
Cabral
Howard
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D013287:Illicit Drugs