Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Adolescent suicide risk, firearm access, and family functioning: Screening in primary care
Guy Weissinger1, Karoline Myhre1, Linda Ruan-Iu1
1Center for Family Intervention Science.
Introduction:
Suicide is a serious mental health concern and the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States. Suicide risk is a complex interaction of social, psychological, and physiological factors. Previous research has identified family functioning as being related to adolescent suicide risk, but it is not well studied in clinical settings. This study uses the Behavioral Health Screen-Primary care (BHS-PC) to examine the relationship between current suicide risk in adolescent and a dysfunctional family environment.
Method:
Adolescents presenting for primary care appointments (n = 6,609; age 14-17) completed the BHS-PC, a broad-based, psychometrically validated screening tool that measures a wide range of adolescent behavioral and mental health concerns. Using data from the BHS-PC, hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to build and compare models of current suicide risk to determine the effect of including family factors. Fisher's Exact test was utilized to examine the relationship between family functioning and firearm access, a critical factor in youth safety and risk of completing suicide.
Results:
In the final model, three family functioning related variables were associated with current suicide risk in adolescents: never talking to adult family member about their concerns, witnessing violence in the home, and arguing in the home. In addition, all but one family functioning factor was related to adolescent firearm access.
Conclusions:
Family functioning and access to firearms are critical to understanding adolescent suicide risk. Utilizing a holistic approach in primary care to screen for adolescent suicide risk may improve clinical response and linkages to care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
More Related Videos
07:31Implementation of a Real-Time Psychosis Risk Detection and Alerting System Based on Electronic Health Records using CogStack
Published on: May 15, 2020
13:08Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
Published on: December 2, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
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....
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care