The Role of School-Based Victimization in Shaping Suicide Risk and Mental Health Disparities Among Black Adolescents

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among Black adolescents have historically been lower compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black adolescents aged 5 to 19 years. This study examined the predictors of STBs and associated factors in Black adolescents with respect to school-based victimizations. Data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were utilized in this cross-sectional study and included 2,322 Black high school adolescents. All demographic data, and data for school-based victimization and STBs were self-reported. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between school-based victimization and STBs. Female (OR = 6.136; 95% CI [2.874, 13.098]) and male adolescents (OR = 10.839; 95% CI [5.305, 22.146]) who felt sad or hopeless had significantly higher odds of suicide ideation. Physical fighting at school significantly reduced the odds of males experiencing ideation (OR = 0.419; 95% CI [0.192, 0.916]) and planning (OR = 0.273; 95% CI [0.087, 0.853]). Bullied female adolescents had significantly increased odds of planning suicide (OR = 2.650; 95% CI [1.338, 5.249]). This study presented an analysis of Black adolescents' experiences of victimization in school settings and their associations with STBs using one of the largest national adolescent health datasets. Findings of this study have implications for school health policy, practice, and equity. These findings highlight the urgent need to address victimization as a critical step in Black adolescents' suicide risk. We propose expanding victimization items and future phenomenological studies on school-based victimization of Black adolescents and STBs.