Citation

Lambert SF, Copeland-Linder N, Ialongo NS. J. Adolesc. Health 2008; 43(4): 380-386.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA. slambert@gwu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.02.015

PMID

18809136

PMCID

PMC2605628

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine longitudinal associations between community violence exposure and suicide ideation and attempt, and whether depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior are intervening variables in this association. METHODS: Participants were 473 urban and predominantly African American adolescents who completed measures of community violence exposure, depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation and attempt in grades 6, 7, and 8; teachers reported about adolescents' aggressive behaviors in grades 6, 7, and 8. Path analysis was used to examine direct and indirect associations between community violence exposure in grade 6 and suicide ideation and attempt in grade 8. Depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior were examined as part of an indirect path from grade 6 community violence exposure to later suicide ideation and attempt. RESULTS: Results revealed an indirect association between community violence exposure and later suicide ideation for males and females; community violence exposure in grade 6 was associated with depressive symptoms in grade 7, which in turn, were positively associated with suicide ideation in grade 8. For males, community violence exposure in grade 6 was associated with increases in aggressive behavior in grade 7, which in turn, were associated with suicide attempts in grade 8.

Language: en