Indigenous Adolescents ’ Suicidal Behaviors and Risk Factors: Evidence from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

AbstractThe study sought to examine indigenous adolescents ’ suicidal behaviors and risk factors in a nationally representative sample and explore potential causes of disparities. The study analyzed the 1991–2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey National Combined Datasets. Suicidal behavior outcomes included suicide consideration, planning, and attempts durin g the past 12 months. Logit regressions were used to estimate the effects of potential suicide risk factors on these suicidal behaviors. The results showed that a high percentage of indigenous adolescents exhibited suicidal behaviors (consideration: 24.6 %; planning: 20.7 %; attempts: 16.2 %). A fter adjusting for risk factors, indigenous adolescents were no more likely than other adolescents to consider or plan for suicide (consideration: OR 1.18, CI 0.96-1.45,p = 0.125; planning: OR 1.16, CI 0.95–1.42,p = 0.156); however, they remained significantly more likely to have made suicide attempts (OR 1.73, CI 1.32–2.26,p <  0.001). Disparities in adolescent suicidal behaviors could be explained by the heterogeneous prevalence of suicidal risk factors across different races/ethnicities.

Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - April 21, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: research