Citation

Kim HH, Kim HJ, Kim EM. J. Psychoactive Drugs 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of International Studies (GSIS), Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Haight-Ashbury Publications in association with the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic)

DOI

10.1080/02791072.2019.1707914

PMID

31888423

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between suicidality and smoking behavior. Specifically, it examines how and the degree to which suicide ideation and plan are associated with the probability of being a regular smoker among school-based children. Data come from Lao Student Health Survey (2017), a project funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea. Using primary hierarchically nested data (students clustered in classrooms across schools), we investigate the complex interplay between suicidality and smoking behavior in Lao PDR, a low-income country located in Southeast Asia.

RESULTS from fitting two-level random intercept models show that net of controls (e.g., gender, age, parental regulation, self-rated health, household SES), the likelihood of daily smoking is higher among students who have seriously considered committing suicide or have planned a suicide attempt. Controlling for individual-level factors, significant classroom-level contextual effects are also found with respect to peer relations. Finally, we observe a cross-level interaction: the positive association between suicide intent and odds of smoking is weaker in classrooms with better peer relations.

Language: en

Keywords

Laos; Smoking behavior; peer relations; suicide intent; suicide plan