Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
10:31
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
13.5K
Examining Suicidality in Adolescents Who Have Sustained Concussions
Grant L Iverson1,2,3,4, Charles E Gaudet1,2,4, Justin E Karr5
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|August 25, 2022
Summary
Concussion in adolescents is linked to increased suicidality, especially when combined with stressors like bullying and depression. Addressing these modifiable factors may reduce suicide risk in youth with concussion history.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Previous research indicates a link between concussion and suicidality in high school students.
- This association may be attenuated or become non-significant when controlling for other adolescent life stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine predictors of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among adolescents who experienced a concussion in the past year.
- To investigate the role of modifiable stress factors in suicidality among concussed youth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 13,677 participants in the 2019 Youth Behavior Risk Survey.
- Included 1754 adolescents (13%) who reported a concussion in the past year.
- Employed binary logistic regressions to analyze predictors including physical activity, bullying, substance use, sleep, grades, and depression.
Main Results:
- Among concussed adolescents, 25% reported suicidal ideation, 20% planning, and 15% attempts.
- In girls, bullying, illicit drug use, marijuana use, and depression predicted suicidal ideation.
- In boys, bullying and depression predicted suicidal ideation.
- Having three or more modifiable stressors significantly increased suicidality risk.
Conclusions:
- Modifiable factors like bullying, substance use, and depression are significant predictors of suicidality in adolescents with a history of concussion.
- Interventions targeting depression, substance use, bullying, and promoting physical activity may reduce suicide risk in this population.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
8.5K
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...
8.5K
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
115
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...
115
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
80
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...
80
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
159
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
159
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
317
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...
317
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.3K
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...
5.3K