Assessing the effects of peer suicide on youth suicide.
Using data from all waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, we investigated the short-term and long-term impact of an adolescent friend's suicide on an adolescent's depression and suicidality. Results suggest that a friend's suicide is associated with heightened suicide thoughts and attempts and greater depression during the first year after loss. Six years later, analyses show concurrent behaviors most relevant to explain suicidality fluctuations. Findings suggest the importance of therapeutic availability, especially during the first year, for those losing a friend to suicide.
Feigelman
William
W
Department of Sociology, Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY 11530, USA. feigelw@ncc.edu
Gorman
Bernard S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010379:Peer Group; D011336:Probability; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data