Related Experiment Videos
Aggression, substance use, and suicidal behaviors in high school students
C Z Garrison1, R E McKeown, R F Valois
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208.
American Journal of Public Health
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Suicidal behaviors, including thoughts and attempts, are common in adolescents and often linked to aggression and substance use. Interventions should address these co-occurring high-risk behaviors together.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Adolescent suicidal behaviors represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in a community sample of adolescents.
- To identify correlates of suicidal behaviors, including aggressive actions, substance use, and physical recklessness.
Main Methods:
- A statewide sample of 3764 South Carolina public high school students completed the 70-item Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- Data collected included information on suicidal thoughts and acts, aggressive behaviors, substance use, and physical recklessness.
Main Results:
- 75% of students reported no suicidal behaviors; however, 11% reported serious suicidal thoughts, and 7.5% reported suicidal attempts.
- Suicidal behaviors were more prevalent in females than males.
- Aggressive behaviors and cigarette use were significantly associated with all categories of suicidal behaviors, with stronger links to more severe behaviors; substance use, particularly with dangerous drugs, also showed associations.
Conclusions:
- Suicidal behaviors are not uncommon among adolescents and frequently co-occur with other high-risk behaviors.
- Interventions targeting adolescent suicidal behaviors should integrate strategies to address coexisting risk factors like aggression and substance use.