A longitudinal examination of social connectedness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents

Abstract

Background This study examines the relationship between three different types of social connectivity and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Methods Using the Add Health dataset, three domains of social connection were explored: parental connection, school connection, and social integration. Logistic regression was used to examine whether changes over time in connectedness predicted suicidal thoughts and behavior. Results Youth whose difference scores on social integration and parental connectedness increased were less likely to experience suicidal ideation. Increases in difference scores for perceived school connectedness protected youth who reported ideation from engaging in a suicide attempt. Conclusions Perceptions of social connection are key factors in understanding adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is important to consider social connection across different relationship contexts.

Predicting 3‐month risk for adolescent suicide attempts among pediatric emergency department patients

“…School or social connectedness emerged as a key predictor for several subgroups of adolescents, which is consistent with a growing body of research (Gunn et al., ) indicating that higher levels of school connectedness were associated with less suicidal behavior in general school samples, high‐risk adolescents, and sexual minority adolescents (Marraccini & Brier, ). Social connections may have long‐term consequences for mortality as well as morbidity.…”

“…Similarly, the importance of lifetime history of suicidal behavior is consistent with studies showing that increased risk for subsequent self-harm and death by suicide persists for years after initially seeking health care for self-harm (Finkelstein et al, 2015). School or social connectedness emerged as a key predictor for several subgroups of adolescents, which is consistent with a growing body of research (Gunn et al, 2018) indicating that higher levels of school connectedness were associated with less suicidal behavior in general school samples, highrisk adolescents, and sexual minority adolescents (Marraccini & Brier, 2017). Social connections may have long-term consequences for mortality as well as morbidity.…”

“…Interpersonal factors such as low social connectedness also have been related to the likelihood of suicidal ideation and behavior (Czyz, Liu, & King, 2012;Gunn, Goldstein, & Gager, 2018). Bully victims and perpetrators have reported an increased incidence of SAs (Borowsky, Taliaferro, & McMorris, 2013), and physical and sexual abuse have been prospectively associated with SAs (Castellv ı et al, 2017).…”

“…We expect interpersonal factors to be important in light of longitudinal studies (e.g. Gunn et al., ) and theoretical formulations about the salience of interpersonal processes to suicidal risk (e.g. Durkheim, ; Joiner, ).…”

Do suicide rates in children and adolescents change during school closure in Japan? The acute effect of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health

“…Unchanged child and adolescent suicide rates for more than 20 years indicate that suicide among children and adolescents is not largely affected by society, including recessions, changes in industrial structure (e.g., increases in non-regular employment), and suicide prevention policies. Major risk factors for suicide and suicidal behaviors in children and adolescents identified in previous studies include: individual psychological factors (e.g., depression and other mental health) ( Carballo et al, 2020 ; Dilillo et al, 2015 ; Picazo-Zappino, 2014 ), family factors (e.g., family dysfunction, often characterized by conflicts, poor communication, a lack of cohesion, and poor connection) ( DeVille et al, 2020 ; Gunn, Goldstein, & Gager, 2018 ; Picazo-Zappino, 2014 ; Ruiz-Robledillo, Ferrer-Cascales, Albaladejo-Blazquez, & Sanchez-SanSegundo, 2019 ), and school factors (e.g., school connectedness and school climate, including peer relationships and bullying) ( Gunn et al, 2018 ; Marraccini & Brier, 2017 ; Picazo-Zappino, 2014 ; Ruiz-Robledillo et al, 2019 ). Furthermore, it is reported in Japan that the frequency of suicides in middle- and high school students are the highest at the beginning of the school semester (i.e., early April and early September) and the lowest during the summer break (i.e.…”