Thoughts of death and suicide in early adolescence.
The prevalence and persistence of thoughts of death and suicide during early adolescence were estimated in a community-based cohort. A latent class approach was used to identify distinct subgroups based on endorsements to depression items administered repeatedly over 24 months. Two classes emerged, with 75% in a low ideation class across four assessments. Less than 2% persisted in the high ideation class over three or more assessments. African American and Asian American adolescents were more likely than European Americans to belong to the high ideation class. No members of the low ideation class endorsed "thought about killing myself," while "thoughts of death and dying" was endorsed by members of both classes. Implications for interpreting meanings of death and suicide ideation in early adolescence are discussed.
Stoep
Ann Vander
AV
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/Epidemiology, Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Box 354920, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. annv@u.washington.edu
McCauley
Elizabeth
E
Flynn
Cynthia
C
Stone
Andrea
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D001741:Black or African American; D001213:Asian; D001293:Attitude to Death; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003643:Death; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People