Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
05:52
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
13.6K
Risk factors for suicidal thoughts in adolescence--a prospective cohort study: the Young-HUNT study
Arve Strandheim1, Ottar Bjerkeset2, David Gunnell3
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Health Trust, Levanger, Norway Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine (ISM), HUNT Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Levanger, Norway.
BMJ Open
|August 22, 2014
Summary
Adolescent anxiety, depression, conduct problems, overweight, and pain were linked to suicidal thoughts in young adulthood. Early intervention for these issues may help prevent suicidal ideation in at-risk youth.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Public health
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Suicidal thoughts represent a significant public health concern among adolescents.
- Understanding early risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between health and lifestyle factors in early adolescence and the development of suicidal thoughts.
- To identify specific risk factors that predict later suicidal ideation.
Main Methods:
- A population-based prospective cohort study involving 2399 adolescents (13-15 years old) from the Young-HUNT1 study.
- Data on health and lifestyle factors were collected in 1995-1997, with follow-up 4 years later to assess suicidal thoughts.
- Statistical analysis included adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to determine associations between baseline factors and suicidal thoughts.
Main Results:
- 17% of adolescents reported suicidal thoughts at follow-up (ages 17-19), with higher prevalence in girls (19.5%) than boys (14.2%).
- Significant associations were found between baseline anxiety and depressive symptoms (aOR 1.9), conduct problems (aOR 1.8), overweight (aOR 1.9), and muscular pain/tension (aOR 1.8) and later suicidal thoughts.
- These risk factors were present in early adolescence (13-15 years old).
Conclusions:
- Suicidal thoughts are prevalent in young adulthood, with girls being more affected.
- Early identification of anxiety/depression, conduct problems, overweight, and pain/tension in adolescents is vital for targeted prevention.
- Further research is recommended to explore associations with suicide attempts and completed suicides.
Keywords:
Preventive Medicine
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
7.9K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
7.9K
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
966
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
966
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
1.0K
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
1.0K
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
816
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
816
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
2.2K
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
2.2K
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
412
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
412