Citation

Mantey DS, Omega-Njemnobi O, Barroso CS, Kelder SH. J. Affect. Disord. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

University of Texas School of Public Health, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite 6.300, Austin, Texas 78701, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.047

PMID

31740108

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. While research has found concussions to be a risk factor for suicide in adults, this relationship is not well studied in nationally representative samples of youth. This study examines the relationship between self-reported history of sports-related concussion and five risk factors for suicide completion.

METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (n=13,353). Multivariate logistic regression models assessed the relationship between self-reported, sports-related concussion and five risk factors for suicide completion. Analyses controlled for sex, race/ethnicity, grade, bullying victimization, and sexual orientation. Subsample analyses were conducted stratified by sex. Interaction models examined biological sex as a possible effect modifier.

RESULTS: Overall, 15.0% of high school students reported a sports-related concussion in the past 12-months. Self-reported, sports-related concussion was significantly associated with greater odds of feeling sad/hopeless (Adj OR: 1.20; 95% CI:1.02-1.42), suicidal ideations (Adj OR: 1.25; 95% CI:1.02-1.55), suicide attempt (Adj OR: 1.60; 95% CI:1.31-1.96), and suicide attempt treated by a doctor/nurse (Adj OR: 2.35; 95% CI:1.68-3.29), adjusting for covariates. Stratified analyses demonstrated differences by sex, however, no direct evidence of effect modification was observed in interaction models. LIMITATIONS: Data are cross-sectional, prohibiting causal inferences. Measures were assessed via self-report. No pre-concussion measures of mental health.

CONCLUSION: Self-reported sports-related concussion was associated with risk factors for suicide completion. No direct evidence of effect modification was observed but stratified analyses suggest biological sex may impact the observed relationship.

Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en