"We observed that community adversity could amplify a young person's vulnerability to consider suicide," wrote study author Eric LaCrosse.
The researchers also found other risk factors in poor teens, including hyperactivity, impulsivity, depression, substance abuse, family history of suicide, low levels of social support, and negative life events such as the death of a parent or a painful romantic break-up.
The research team surveyed 2779 teens in early adolescence and then again at ages 18 or 19 years old, asking them questions such as, "During the past year, did you seriously think about attempting suicide? If so, how many times did you attempt suicide in the past year?"
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages ten to 24 years old. According to guidelines from the Mayo Clinic, signs of suicide in teenagers are depression, low energy and motivation, anger or rage, oversensitivity to criticism, poor grades, decreased concentration, changes in sleep or eating habits, restlessness, talking about death, cessation of regular activities, and withdrawal from friends and family.
This study appeared in the journal Psychological Medicine.
Labels: suicide, depression, poverty
Posted By: Aspen Education Group