Suicide risk and its correlate in adolescents who experienced typhoon-induced mudslides: a structural equation model.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to examine the direct and indirect effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), disaster-exposure experience, gender, and perceived family support on suicide risk (including suicide ideation and attempt) in adolescents 3 months after they had experienced Typhoon Morakot-associated mudslides in Taiwan using a structural equation model (SEM).


METHODS
Two hundred and seventy-one adolescents in the worst affected mountainous regions of southern Taiwan were recruited. Suicide risk and diagnoses of PTSD and MDD were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. The direct and indirect effects of PTSD, MDD, disaster-exposure experience, gender, and perceived family support on suicide risk were examined using SEM.


RESULTS
The results of SEM indicated that increased disaster-exposure experience and female gender had direct influences on an increased suicide risk and indirect influences on increased suicide risk that were mediated by PTSD and MDD. Perceived high family support directly decreased suicide risk. Both PTSD and MDD had direct influences on an increased suicide risk, and PTSD had an indirect influence on an increased suicide risk that was mediated by MDD.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender, disaster-exposure experience, perceived high family support, PTSD, and MDD all had effects on suicide risk in adolescents who had experienced the threat of mudslides caused by Typhoon Morakot. The results provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding to develop intervention programs to prevent and intervene in suicide risk.
Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Tze-Chun
TC
Tang
Cheng-Fang
CF
Yen
Chung-Ping
CP
Cheng
Pinchen
P
Yang
Cheng-Sheng
CS
Chen
Rei-Cheng
RC
Yang
Ming-Shyan
MS
Huang
Yuh-Jyh
YJ
Jong
Hsin-Su
HS
Yu
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D055876:Landslides; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013624:Taiwan