Citation

Wolitzky-Taylor KB, Ruggiero KJ, McCart MR, Smith DW, Hanson RF, Resnick HS, de Arellano MA, Saunders BE, Kilpatrick DG. J. Clin. Child Adolesc. Psychol. 2010; 39(1): 64-76.

Affiliation

Medical University of South Carolina.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15374410903401146

PMID

20390799

PMCID

PMC3124114

Abstract

We compared the prevalence and correlates of adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts in two nationally representative probability samples of adolescents interviewed in 1995 (National Survey of Adolescents; N = 4,023) and 2005 (National Survey of Adolescents-Replication; N = 3,614). Participants in both samples completed a telephone survey that assessed major depressive episode (MDE), post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and attempts, violence exposure, and substance use. Results demonstrated that the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation among adolescents was lower in 2005 than 1995, whereas the prevalence of suicide attempts remained stable. MDE was the strongest predictor of suicidality in both samples. In addition, several demographic, substance use, and violence exposure variables were significantly associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts in both samples, with female gender, nonexperimental drug use, and direct violence exposure being consistent risk factors in both samples.

Language: en