Suicidality among military-connected adolescents in California schools

• Published in: European child & adolescent psychiatry Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 61 - 66
• Main Authors: Gilreath, Tamika D., Wrabel, Stephani L., Sullivan, Kathrine S., Capp, Gordon P., Roziner, Ilan, Benbenishty, Rami, Astor, Ron A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.01.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Armed forces; Attempted; California - epidemiology; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Child development; Children & youth; Drug use; Employees; Family - psychology; Female; Health Surveys - trends; Humans; Ideation; Male; Medical personnel; Medical screening; Medical treatment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental health; Military personnel; Military Personnel - psychology; Military schools; Original Contribution; Pediatrics; Primary care; Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Schools - trends; Self destructive behavior; Social work; Students - psychology; Studies; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Suicide - psychology; Suicide - trends; Suicide, Attempted - psychology; Suicide, Attempted - trends; Suicides & suicide attempts; Teenagers; Veterans; Victimization; California; United States > US; Adolescents; Suicidality; Mental health; Military
• ISSN: 1018-8827; 1435-165X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00787-015-0696-2

Previous research indicates that suicidal ideation is higher among military-connected youth than non military-connected youth. This study extends prior work by examining suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts in military-connected and non military-connected adolescents. Data were gathered from 390,028 9th and 11th grade students who completed the 2012–2013 California Healthy Kids Survey. Bivariate comparisons and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to examine differences in suicidal ideation, plans, attempts, and attempts requiring medical attention between military and not military-connected youth. In multivariate logistic analyses, military-connected youth were at increased risk for suicidal ideation (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI = 1.37–1.49), making a plan to harm themselves (OR = 1.19, CI = 1.06–1.34), attempting suicide (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.43–1.95), and an attempted suicide which required medical treatment (OR = 1.71, CI = 1.34–2.16). These results indicate that military-connected youth statewide are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation, plans, attempts, and attempts requiring medical care because of suicidal behaviors. It is suggested that policies be implemented to increase awareness and screening among primary care providers, school personnel, and military organizations that serve military-connected youth.