title: Bullying, Depression, and Suicide Risk in a Pediatric Primary Care Sample.
abstract: Suicide is a serious public health concern for US youth. Research has established an association between bullying and suicide risk. However, several questions remain regarding this relationship.
  
  
  
  The present study examined (a) whether experiences of verbal, physical, and cyber bullying were uniquely associated with general suicide risk; (b) whether each specific form of bullying was related to suicide attempt; and (c) whether depression moderated the relationship between each type of bullying and suicide risk.
  
  
  
  The sample included medical records of 5,429 youth screened in primary care when providers had mental health concerns. Patients were screened using the Behavioral Health Screen (BHS), which assessed a range of mental health problems and behaviors, including bullying, depression, and suicide.
  
  
  
  All types of bullying were associated with suicide risk, but verbal bullying was uniquely associated with suicide attempt. Depression significantly moderated the relationship between each type of bullying and suicide risk.
  
  
  
  The study’s limitations include the use of cross-sectional and self-report data [corrected]. When medical providers evaluate suicide risk, bullying should be considered as a possible precipitant, especially if the patient is depressed. Verbal bullying may be particularly important in understanding severity of suicide risk.
authors.affiliation: 1 Drexel University, Couple and Family Therapy Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kodish
authors.affiliation: 1 Drexel University, Couple and Family Therapy Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herres
authors.affiliation: 1 Drexel University, Couple and Family Therapy Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.affiliation: 1 Drexel University, Couple and Family Therapy Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Tita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Atte
authors.affiliation: 2 The Violence Prevention Initiative and The Department of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fein
authors.affiliation: 1 Drexel University, Couple and Family Therapy Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058445:Bullying / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescents; bullying; depression; primary care; suicide risk