Friendships and Suicidality Among Mexican American Adolescent Girls and Boys

Abstract

Friendship factors have been implicated in adolescent suicidality, but this relationship has not been verified across ethnicities. This study examined suicidality and friendship problems (i.e., social isolation, poor friendship quality, friends' school disconnection, and friends' delinquency) among Mexican-American adolescents, an understudied, vulnerable group in terms of suicidality. Three hundred thirty-eight community adolescents, two thirds of whom were educationally-at-risk, participated in the study. Suicidal ideation and behavior rates were high, particularly among girls. Friends' school disconnectedness increased girls' odds for suicidal ideation by 13%. This association was even greater for girls in good academic standing. Friendship problems were not associated with suicidality in boys. Ethnic identity was a minor factor in suicidal ideation, and only for girls. These findings confirm, among Mexican American adolescents, the role of gender in the relationship between friendship and suicidality.

Latina Adolescent Suicide Ideations and Attempts: Associations with Connectedness to Parents, Peers, and Teachers

“…Consistent with previous studies (e.g., Bearman & Moody, 2004; Russell & Joyner, 2001; Winterrowd, Canetto, & Chavez, 2010), having a suicidal friend was associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts in this sample of Latinas. This link is well‐established in community samples of adolescents that combine different race/ethnic groups.…”

Parents and friendships: A longitudinal examination of interpersonal mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and suicidal ideation

“…This association is demonstrated in both cross-sectional ((Babiss and Gangwisch, 2009; Sharaf et al, 2009; Bonanno and Hymel, 2010; Cho and Haslam, 2010; Tang et al, 2010; Teasdale and Bradley-Engen, 2010; Pettit et al, 2011; Hetrick et al, 2012) and longitudinal studies (Winfree and Jiang, 2010; Lasgaard et al, 2011; Czyz et al, 2012). Similarly, several recent studies demonstrate a negative relationship between social support from close friendships and SI across cross-sectional (Babiss and Gangwisch, 2009; Bonanno and Hymel, 2010; Cho and Haslam, 2010; Teasdale and Bradley-Engen, 2010; Winterrowd et al, 2010; Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al, 2011; Logan et al, 2011; Pettit et al, 2011; Pinheiro et al, 2012) and longitudinal studies (Johnson et al, 2002; Dupéré et al, 2009; Czyz et al, 2012). …”

Latino and Latina Adolescents' Help‐seeking Behaviors and Attitudes Regarding Suicide Compared to Peers with Recent Suicidal Ideation

“…While nonsuicidal Latinos might have more positive attitudes about help‐seeking among family members, as many trusted adults are available to them due to the larger than average households of Latinos (Landale, Oropesa, & Bradatan, ), suicidal Latinos might not share these more positive beliefs. Individuals engaged in suicidal thoughts also are likely to have increased feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and burdensomeness, especially resulting from the strained relationships with their parents (Winterrowd, Canetto, & Chavez, ). As a result, Latinos could be more inclined to engage in maladaptive thought processes such as thinking that no one can assist them and that help from adults would not lessen their distress.…”