Leveraging general risk surveillance to reduce suicide in early adolescents: Associations between suicidality, disordered eating, and other developmental risk factors

Abstract

Objective Suicide is a leading cause of death in early adolescents (i.e., children ages 11–14), underscoring the need for a more complex understanding of suicidality in youth. Syndemics framework posits that the overlap of multiple maladaptive behaviors (or risk factors) produces worse health outcomes compared to each behavior alone. The use of this framework in preventing suicide necessitates that identification of developmental risk factors that occur in tandem to suicide (e.g., disordered eating behaviors and substance use) may be important for intervening on those at greatest risk of suicide. Method The present study uses latent class analysis (LCA) to evaluate the relationship between suicidality and disordered eating behaviors in early adolescence, and associations with other developmental risk factors in an epidemiological sample of middle school students (N = 3,811). Results Lifetime prevalence ranged from 6.8% to 18.2% for suicidality, and 5.3%–48.7% for disordered eating behavior. Our final model identified six independent classes, and each class had differential associations with several additional developmental risk factors. Conclusion By pinpointing specific classes of individuals who may be at risk for multiple developmental risk factors, our results have important implications for public health intervention and prevention efforts for a wide range of adolescent risk behaviors, including suicidality.

Social-ecological perspective on the suicidal behaviour factors of early adolescents in China: a network analysis

“…5 Early adolescence is a critical transitional period in human development involving major biological, emotional, cognitive, psychological and behavioural changes. 6 Thus, vulnerable adolescents are more prone to psychological and behavioural problems during this period. Suicide not only results in loss of life but also imposes substantial psychological burdens on the surviving family members and friends, such as prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts, thereby contributing to a considerable financial toll on society.…”

Body Dissatisfaction and Health Risk Behaviors Among Middle School Girls

“…54 Although there are fewer studies about suicidality and body dissatisfaction for middle schoolers, 1 study using the YRBS for Kentucky middle school students found that those with both disordered eating behaviors and suicidality were more likely to engage in a number of risk behaviors including cigarette, alcohol, and prescription drug use. 55 Finally, a study using the YRBS for North Carolina middle school students found that females who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and actions. 56 As demonstrated by the studies above, research documenting the relationship between body image and risk behaviors, especially for females, uses a variety of measures, with older adolescents more often being the focus rather than early adolescents.…”

“…A third study also using national YRBS high school data found that body image and weight control behaviors, among other factors, were significant predictors of suicidal behaviors 54 . Although there are fewer studies about suicidality and body dissatisfaction for middle schoolers, 1 study using the YRBS for Kentucky middle school students found that those with both disordered eating behaviors and suicidality were more likely to engage in a number of risk behaviors including cigarette, alcohol, and prescription drug use 55 . Finally, a study using the YRBS for North Carolina middle school students found that females who perceived themselves as overweight were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and actions 56 …”