Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121070

Tamika D. Gilreath, MS¹, Gary King, PhD², Alan J. Flisher, PhD³, John Graham, PhD², and Carl Lombard, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, 315 E Health and Human Development, University Park, PA 16801, 814-865-8410, tdg132@psu.edu, (2) Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, 315 E. Henderson Bldg, University Park, PA 16802, (3) Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, RSA, CapeTown, Western Cape Province, South Africa, (4) Biostatic Division/Centre for Epidemilogic Research in South Africa, Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

Suicidal ideation has been linked to health compromising behaviors (e.g., smoking, illicit drug use, suicide attempts, etc.) among adolescents. Globally, studies have consistently identified familial relationships as an important correlate of suicidality. The current study assessed the relationships between parental relationships, suicidal ideation, risky behaviors, and recent smoking among adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 668 students (in 1997 and 1999) assessing multiple dimensions of adolescent health behaviors and socio-demographics. A mediation model was constructed based upon a review of the literature to examine relationship with parents (independent variable) and suicidal ideation (mediator) in 1997. The outcome variables in 1999 were “risky” behaviors and smoking in the past 30 days. “Risky” behaviors assessed included stealing, damaging property, carrying a knife at school, walking alone at night, bullying others, and fighting. Model regression coefficients were compared between males and females, and the results indicate that parental relationships had a significant direct effect on suicidal ideation and indirect effects on risky behaviors and recent smoking among females. Parental relationships had no significant effect on suicidal ideation among males. However, suicidal ideation did have a significant direct effect on risky behaviors and recent smoking among males. These results can be useful in developing future preventions/interventions that maximize the protective influence of parental relationships among female adolescents. Further research is warranted to assess the correlates of suicidal ideation among these adolescent males.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the influence of parental relationships and suicidal ideation on adolescent health behavior.
• Identify differences in the effects of parental relationships between male and female adolescents.
• Recognize the need for interventions tailored to adolescent subgroups (e.g., females).

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Adolescents, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.