Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
07:57
A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Suicidal ideation in anxiety-disordered youth.
Kelly A O'Neil1, Connor M Puleo, Courtney L Benjamin
1Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. kelly.oneil@temple.edu
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|April 19, 2012
Summary
Anxiety disorders in youth are linked to suicidal thoughts. This study found that anxiety severity and depression symptoms predict suicidal ideation, recommending routine screening for anxiety in young patients.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The relationship between anxiety and suicidality in youth is not fully understood.
- Existing evidence on an independent association between anxiety and suicidal ideation in pediatric populations is mixed.
- Anxiety disorders are prevalent in youth, necessitating clarity on their link to suicidal behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent association between anxiety disorders and suicidal ideation in treatment-referred youth.
- To identify predictors of suicidal ideation among youth diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
- To examine the prevalence of suicidal ideation in anxious youth compared to non-anxious peers.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Cross-sectional analysis of 312 treatment-referred youth (aged 7-17) with anxiety disorders, assessing suicidal ideation and related factors.
- Study 2: Comparative study of 216 youth (aged 7-14) with and without anxiety disorders, evaluating suicidal ideation rates and predictors.
- Statistical analyses included multivariate modeling to control for confounding variables like depressive symptoms and global impairment.
Main Results:
- Forty-one percent of youth with anxiety disorders reported suicidal ideation.
- Anxiety disorder severity, global impairment, and current depressive symptoms significantly predicted suicidal ideation in Study 1.
- In Study 2, anxiety diagnosis and anxiety levels predicted suicidal ideation, even after controlling for depression and impairment.
Conclusions:
- Results confirm a significant association between anxiety disorders and suicidal ideation in treatment-referred youth.
- Anxiety disorder severity and comorbid depressive symptoms are key predictors of suicidal ideation.
- Routine screening for suicidal ideation is recommended for all youth diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
More Related Videos
05:52Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
08:42Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:25Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...