title: Protective effects of self-esteem and family support on suicide risk behaviors among at-risk adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  If and how family support and self-esteem might interact to protect against adolescent suicide risk is not well understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine the moderating effect of family support on the relationship between self-esteem and suicide risk behaviors among potential high school dropouts (N = 849), using questionnaires and in-depth assessment interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family support moderated the impact of self-esteem on suicide risk; the ameliorating effect of self-esteem was stronger among adolescents with low versus high family support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-esteem influences adolescent suicide risk behaviors for youth with low as well as high family support. Interventions designed to strengthen both self-esteem and support resources are appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, University of Alexandria, Faculty of Nursing, Egypt. amira_psych@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Amira Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Sharaf
authors.forename: Elaine A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015205:Northwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires