Family Dysfunction, Interpersonal Risk Factors, and Suicidal Ideation Among Marginalized Adolescents Following...

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults, with alarming increases in rates of suicide over the past two decades. Adolescents with marginalized identities, including LGBTQ and racial/ethnic minoritized youth, are at even greater risk for suicidality, yet remain underrepresented in suicide research. Given the psychosocial challenges associated with social marginalization, examining factors that may buffer or exacerbate risk in marginalized adolescents is crucial for informing intervention and prevention efforts.

The present study used structural equation modeling to examine longitudinal associations among thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), family dysfunction, and suicidal ideation (SI) in a sample of marginalized adolescents hospitalized for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (n = 100). Further, this study builds upon existing research by testing family dysfunction as a moderator of the associations between interpersonal risk factors and SI.

Adolescents who reported more TB and PB during hospitalization experienced more severe SI six months following psychiatric hospitalization. Notably, the association between TB and SI intensity was stronger among adolescents reporting higher levels of family dysfunction.

Findings suggest that family dysfunction may exacerbate the impact of TB among marginalized adolescents following acute psychiatric care, emphasizing the need for family-focused interventions that bolster family communication, support, and adolescents' sense of belonging.