Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

- Victoria Bakken, 

- Stian Lydersen, 

- Norbert Skokauskas, 

- Anne Mari Sund & 

- Jannike Kaasbøll 

Abstract

Background

Adolescence is a critical period with elevated vulnerability to suicidality. Despite the importance of protective factors in reducing suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA), research in this area remains limited. This study investigated the associations between protective factors in early adolescence and the subsequent outcomes of SI and SA a year later, while also examining sex differences in these associations.

Methods

This study utilized data from a representative sample at two timepoints, T1 (N?=?2464, 50.8% females, mean age?=?13.7, SD?=?0.6) in 1998 and T2 (N?=?2432, 50.4% females, mean age?=?14.9, SD?=?0.6) one year later, collected as part of the longitudinal Youth and Mental Health Study (YAMHS) in Norway. Individual, social and environmental protective factors were identified based on prior research and theoretical frameworks. We used linear (or ordinal logistic) regression analyses with SI (or SA) as dependent variable, and one protective factor, sex and their interaction as covariates.

Results

Positive self-perceptions (T1) were significantly associated with reduced SI and SA one year later (T2) for both sexes. Specifically, self-worth was more strongly associated with reduced SI in females (B = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.20 to -0.12, p? https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=13551