Nearly one in five teenagers has suicidal thoughts, and suicide is the second most common cause of death for that age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Social bonds and social recognition, however, could reduce the risk of adolescent suicide, according to a new study by researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development.
Suicide and suicidality are complex. To determine how young people's interactions with others connected to higher or lower suicidal thoughts, actions or risk factors, the researchers examined data from nearly 200,000 Pennsylvania teenagers.
Overall, the team found that personal connections and public recognition for achievements at the family, school and community levels were related to reduced suicide risk, either directly or through lower levels of depression, substance use or bullying. They also found that rural students face greater risk than urban students. Published online in Journal of Adolescent Health, study results indicate how parents, schools and neighbors can help reduce suicide risk in their families and communities.
"We found that strong social bonds help decrease teen suicide risk in every circumstance," said Xue Zhang, assistant professor of biobehavioral health and lead author of the study. "While there is no single solution to preventing adolescent suicide, strengthening social bonds is a strategy that can benefit all young people."
