Purpose: Identify predictors of violent and suicidal behavior among students in grades 5-12. Method: Self-administered survey. All relationships presented were significant (p<.001). Results: 10,814 students in New Mexico completed the survey. In the preceding year, 44% of students had hit another student, 20% had injured another person seriously, and 6% reported using a weapon coercively. In the preceding month, 33% of students reported feeling sad or depressed. A history of suicide attempt(s) was reported by 19%. Multivariate analysis indicated that variables associated with higher odds of hitting other students were: 1) being victims of violence; 2) not believing that teachers care; 3) supporting teenage sexual activity. Predictors of seriously hurting someone were: 1) being victims of violence; 2) supporting teenage drinking; 3) having friends who use drugs. Coercive weapon use was predicted by: 1) having parents who rarely monitor their whereabouts; 2) being victims of violence; 3) supporting teenage sexual activity; 4) feeling a lack of control over what happens. The odds of feeling depressed or sad in the preceding month were greater among students who sometimes felt their lives have no purpose, or who felt they get little parental help and support. Students disproportionately reported a history of suicide attempts if: they sometimes feel their lives have no purpose; they feel they get little parental help and support; or, they have been injured by a family member. Conclusion: Violent victimization outside the home appears to predict other-directed violence; self-directed violence is predicted by violence in the home.
Learning Objectives: Understand behavioral and environmental predictors of youth violence and suicide
Keywords: Youth Violence, Suicide
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.