Resource profiles and suicide attempts in youth with disabilities

The issue of suicide among youth with disabilities transitioning into adulthood is a serious public health issue. In navigating this transition, youth with disabilities encounter unique obstacles that require careful consideration and support. This study aims to identify resource profiles among youth with disabilities and their association with suicide attempts in early adulthood.

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), this study included 1,472 youth with disabilities. A Gaussian finite mixture model (GMM) was employed to identify underlying distinct groups of youth with disabilities based on their available resources.

Four latent classes emerged: (1) Socioeconomically Advantaged and Socially Supportive (37%); (2) Socioeconomically Advantaged, but Socially Isolated (28%); (3) Socioeconomically Disadvantaged and Socially Isolated (20%); and (4) Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, but Socially Supportive (15%). Results from the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) considering a longer transition period into adulthood up to age 32 and relevant time-varying factors found that youth in Socioeconomically Advantaged, but Socially Isolated and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, but Socially Supportive had a significantly lower likelihood of suicide attempts compared to those in Socioeconomically Advantaged and Socially Supportive. The likelihood of suicide attempts for youth with learning disabilities was significantly lower than for those with physical disabilities, while a history of suicide attempts in adolescence and experience with a death by suicide of family members or friends increased the odds of suicide attempts.

The study highlights the heterogeneity of youth with disabilities, demonstrating how demographic characteristics, disability-specific needs, family and school environments and social support systems intersect to influence suicide attempt prevention.