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Publication #FAR1203

 

Factors of Adolescent Suicide1

Donna Davis2

Figure 1. 
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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 risks 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 (Barnett, 2006).

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 (Barnett, 2006).

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 (Barnett, 2006).

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Reference

Barnett, R. (2006). 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. Retrieved April 10, 2006, from http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/rnycu06/spring06.htm#barnett [10 September 2012].

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR1203,one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 419 in January 2007. Published on EDIS August 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Donna Davis, Senior Producer, Family Album Radio, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.