Social Connectedness and the Recent Development of Suicidal Ideation During Adolescence

Social connectedness is underscored in nearly all suicide theories. Yet, the unique influence of specific adolescent social relationships on suicidal ideation (SI) is understudied. The current study provides a novel investigation of adolescent connectedness within the family and school contexts in relation to recent SI development.

Data from the U.S. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) was utilized for participants who denied SI at Wave I and subsequently completed Wave II (N = 4,154; M_age=15.15 [SD = 1.60]; 51% female; 67.4% White, 24.4% African American). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the independent concurrent and prospective influences of connectedness with family, mother, father, school, and teacher on recent SI development (i.e., SI endorsed at Wave II), with significant connectedness variables then assessed in a combined, structural equation model.

The combined model indicated that Wave II family and Wave II school connectedness each had negative, concurrent associations with recent SI development. School connectedness at Wave I was a positive, prospective predictor of recent SI.

Interventions to improve school and family connectedness may reduce concurrent risk for SI among youth who recently developed SI. Several explanations may account for the role of greater school connectedness as a SI prospective predictor, including increased exposure to school-based stressors and greater contact with distressed peers that may diminish the protective influence of prior connectedness. Future research should clarify these mechanisms to inform when strengthening school connectedness is likely to be protective and when additional supports may be needed.