Predictors of Adolescent Suicide Risk: A Multivariable Analysis of Demographic, Environmental, and Behavioral Factors.
Abstract
Adolescents encounter numerous mental health challenges with suicide being a leading cause of death among young people. The factors contributing to suicide risk in this age group are multifaceted, necessitating a comprehensive approach to identifying key predictors. This study examines the demographic, environmental, and behavioral influences on adolescent suicide risk. Gaining insight into these predictors is crucial for designing effective mental health programs that address the unique vulnerabilities of adolescents experiencing multiple risk factors. This study utilized data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) to examine factors associated with adolescent suicide risk. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between independent variables and suicide risk, with adjusted odds ratios calculated to interpret predictor-outcome relationships. To ensure representativeness, weighting was applied to account for the complex sampling design of the YRBSS survey. A total of 19,336 adolescents participated in the study, with 51.9% identifying as male and 48.1% female. Overall, 7.2% of respondents reported suicidal behaviors. The majority were aged 15 to 17 years, with racial/ethnic distribution as follows: 64.1% White, 13.3% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian. Significant predictors of suicide risk included female gender (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 2.14–2.71), obesity (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13–1.50), experiences of sexual violence (OR = 4.23, 95% CI: 3.60–4.97), exposure to physical violence at home (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.36–1.83), inadequate sleep (< 8 hours) (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.89–2.68), and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.54–2.47). The findings of this study highlight the complex interplay of demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors in suicidal risk. Addressing suicide prevention requires comprehensive strategies that target individual risk factors while considering their interactions with environmental and behavioral influences to effectively reduce suicide risk among young people.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 4:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate Student - Masters
Faculty Mentor
Shimin Zheng
Faculty Department
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Predictors of Adolescent Suicide Risk: A Multivariable Analysis of Demographic, Environmental, and Behavioral Factors.
Adolescents encounter numerous mental health challenges with suicide being a leading cause of death among young people. The factors contributing to suicide risk in this age group are multifaceted, necessitating a comprehensive approach to identifying key predictors. This study examines the demographic, environmental, and behavioral influences on adolescent suicide risk. Gaining insight into these predictors is crucial for designing effective mental health programs that address the unique vulnerabilities of adolescents experiencing multiple risk factors. This study utilized data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) to examine factors associated with adolescent suicide risk. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between independent variables and suicide risk, with adjusted odds ratios calculated to interpret predictor-outcome relationships. To ensure representativeness, weighting was applied to account for the complex sampling design of the YRBSS survey. A total of 19,336 adolescents participated in the study, with 51.9% identifying as male and 48.1% female. Overall, 7.2% of respondents reported suicidal behaviors. The majority were aged 15 to 17 years, with racial/ethnic distribution as follows: 64.1% White, 13.3% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian. Significant predictors of suicide risk included female gender (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 2.14–2.71), obesity (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13–1.50), experiences of sexual violence (OR = 4.23, 95% CI: 3.60–4.97), exposure to physical violence at home (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.36–1.83), inadequate sleep (< 8 hours) (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.89–2.68), and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.54–2.47). The findings of this study highlight the complex interplay of demographic, environmental, and behavioral factors in suicidal risk. Addressing suicide prevention requires comprehensive strategies that target individual risk factors while considering their interactions with environmental and behavioral influences to effectively reduce suicide risk among young people.