The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67652

Narayanan I. Valappil, PhD, Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 7016 Candlewood Cir, Brooklyn park, MN 55445, 763-424-9158, valappil@netscape.net

Suicide is a serious public health concern and is one of the leading of causes of death among youth in the United States.

In this study we examined the association between emotional well-being and suicidal thoughts among ninth graders taking into account other cofactors like self-esteem, being cared by others, family connectedness, race and gender.

The study sample includes 50168 ninth grade public school students in Minnesota who completed an anonymous, voluntary statewide survey administrated in the year 2001. An index variable was created for emotional well-being of the respondents. The results indicated that among those who had severe emotional problems, 85% had suicidal thoughts in their past while those who had moderate problems, 65% had suicidal thoughts. Among those with little or no emotional problems, 24% had suicidal thoughts.

The odds of having suicidal thoughts is 5.4 times higher in those who had severe emotional problems and about 3 times higher in those having moderate problems compared to those who had little or no emotional problems. Among the cofactors examined in the logistic regression model, self-esteem, family connectedness, being cared by others were significant predictors of suicidal thoughts. Ninth grade females are more likely to have suicidal thoughts compared to males. The results also showed a protective effect for non-white students compared to whites.

The study suggests that emotional health is a strong predictor of suicidal thoughts among adolescents.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• learn the major factors associated with suicidal thoughts among adolescents.
• Whether gender or race makes any difference in suicidal thoughts among adolescents?

Keywords: Adolescents, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.