The loss of a child to suicide can be particularly devastating to parents, friends, and others in the child’s life. When my daughter came home one day telling me of a classmate who was contemplating suicide, the flood of fear for her friend and for the fact that my daughter was so closely exposed to such pain was one of those life-stopping moments.

As parents, relatives, friends and professionals who deal with teenagers, we can be aware of certain risk and protective factors that can predict whether or not a teen may attempt suicide. A study using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health identified a number of such factors for adolescent suicide attempts. The researchers found that among all adolescents, those most at risk of attempting suicide were those who had previously attempted suicide and would likely try again, were victims of violence or perpetrated violence on others, used alcohol and marijuana, and had problems in school.

There were some differences between girls and boys. For girls, having a friend attempt or complete suicide, drug use and a history of mental health treatment predicted suicide attempts. For boys, the more powerful predictors were carrying a weapon at school and same-sex romantic attractions.

While risk factors varied for genders and ethnic groups, protective factors also varied. However, for all adolescents, the most important deterrent in suicide attempts was a perceived parent and family connectedness.

Podcast: Factors of adolescent suicide
Written by Donna Davis
Reviewed by Suzanna Smith

Listening, learning and living together, it’s the science of life. “Family Album” is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and of WUFT-FM. If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website at familyalbumradio.org.

Source

Barnett, R. What we need to know about adolescent suicide attempts. Research News You Can Use, Spring 2006. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.