Prospective Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide Attempts Among Black Adolescents Seeking Emergency Department Services
Abstract
Objective Suicide rates among Black youth have been rising at an alarming rate, with a 54% increase between 2018 and 2022. This study investigated sociodemographic, suicide-related, clinical, and interpersonal risk and protective factors of lifetime (cross-sectional) and 6-month (prospective) suicide attempt in a large sample of Black youth who visited the emergency department. Method Data from 1,719 Black youths (girls = 1,046 [61%], mean [SD] age =14.98 [1.66] years) were obtained from the Emergency Department Screening for Teens at Risk for Suicide (ED-STARS) Study 1 cohort recruited from 13 nation-wide pediatric emergency departments (Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network [PECARN]). Among 784 youths selected for follow-up interviews based on level of suicide risk, 616 (78.6%) participated in 3- and/or 6-month follow-up interviews. Univariable logistic regression models examined cross-sectional and longitudinal relations between sociodemographic, suicide-related, and other clinical and interpersonal risk and protective factors and suicide attempt. A multivariable logistic regression model predicting follow-up suicide attempt was examined. Results Cross-sectional and follow-up univariable models found that gender identity, sexual minority status, suicidal ideation/behavior, nonsuicidal self-injury, hopelessness, depression, agitation, anxiety, sexual abuse history, level of impairment, connectedness (family, peer, school), and impulsivity predicted suicide…
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