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A longitudinal examination of social connectedness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents
Author(s) -
Gunn John F.,
Goldstein Sara E.,
Gager Constance T.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/camh.12281
Subject(s) - social connectedness , suicidal ideation , psychology , developmental psychology , logistic regression , perception , suicide prevention , connection (principal bundle) , poison control , clinical psychology , social psychology , medicine , medical emergency , structural engineering , neuroscience , engineering
Background This study examines the relationship between three different types of social connectivity and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Methods Using the Add Health dataset, three domains of social connection were explored: parental connection, school connection, and social integration. Logistic regression was used to examine whether changes over time in connectedness predicted suicidal thoughts and behavior. Results Youth whose difference scores on social integration and parental connectedness increased were less likely to experience suicidal ideation. Increases in difference scores for perceived school connectedness protected youth who reported ideation from engaging in a suicide attempt. Conclusions Perceptions of social connection are key factors in understanding adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is important to consider social connection across different relationship contexts.