No abstract

Background In adolescents, multiple addictive-like behaviors (ALBs) occur frequently together which are likely to be associated with suicide behaviors (SBs), increasing the risk of suicide. This study aimed to clarify the potential subgroups of ALBs in Chinese adolescents, and examine the associations between different patterns of ALBs and SBs. Methods A total of 22,628 middle school students were enrolled in this study. Self-reported ALBs and SBs were investigated by questionnaires. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed based on five ALBs [smoking, alcohol use (AU), diet pills use (DPU), screen time (ST), problematic mobile phone use (PMPU)]. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between the different patterns of ALBs and SBs. Results Four subgroups of ALBs were identified by LCA, including high-risk class (smoking/AU/DPU/PMPU/ST), moderate-risk class 1 (DPU/PMPU), moderate risk class 2 (smoking/AU/ST), and low-risk class. Compared with the low-risk class, all of the moderate-risk class 1, moderate-risk class 2 and high-risk class had higher risks of suicide ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt. Conclusions These findings suggested that the patterns of ALBs were related to SBs in Chinese adolescents. Accordingly, considerations of different classes of ALBs may be essential for developing effective preventive programs.

BackgroundIn adolescents, multiple unhealthy behaviors frequently occur together and are likely to be associated with suicidal behaviors (SBs), increasing the risk of suicide. This study aimed to clarify the potential patterns of unhealthy behaviors in Chinese adolescents and to examine the associations between the different patterns of unhealthy behaviors and SBs.MethodsA total of 22,628 middle school students were enrolled in this study. Self-reported unhealthy behaviors and SBs were investigated using questionnaires. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed based on five unhealthy behaviors [smoking, alcohol use (AU), diet pill use (DPU), screen time (ST), and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU)]. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine associations between the different patterns of unhealthy behaviors and SBs.ResultsFour subgroups of unhealthy behaviors were identified by LCA, including high-risk class (smoking/AU/DPU/PMPU/ST), moderate-risk class 1 (DPU/PMPU), moderate-risk class 2 (smoking/AU/ST), and low-risk class. Compared with the low-risk class, moderate-risk class 1, moderate-risk class 2, and high-risk class had higher risks of suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt.ConclusionsThese findings suggested that patterns of unhealthy behaviors were related to SBs in Chinese adolescents. Accordingly, considerations of different classes of unhealthy behaviors may be essential for developing effective preventive programs.