Suicidal Behavior Is Linked to Substance Use in Adolescents

Substance use among adolescents is associated with suicidal behaviors such as suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts, according to a recent study.

For their study, the researchers recruited 13,985 adolescents using a random sampling strategy. Participants reported any experiences with suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts, as well as any past-year use of cigarettes, alcohol, ketamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
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Subsequently, the association between substance use and suicidal behavior was assessed via latent analysis.

Results showed that adolescents who used cigarettes, alcohol, ketamine, and/or MDMA had demonstrated increased suicidal behaviors. Furthermore, according to findings from the latent variables analysis, substance use behavior was more severe in boys than in girls.

However, the researchers noted, the association between substance use and suicidal behavior was not impacted by gender.

“Substance use behavior in adolescents is related to more suicidal behavior,” the researchers concluded. “In addition, the contribution of substance use to suicidal behavior does not differ between genders.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Wang PW, Yen CF. Adolescent substance use behavior and suicidal behavior for boys and girls: a cross-sectional study by latent analysis approach [Published online December 8, 2017]. BMC Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1546-1.