Recorded presentation

M. Janice Gilliland, PhD, Diana L. Paulk, PhD, and Michael Windle, PhD. Department of Psychology, Center for the Advancement of Youth Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 912 Building, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1200, 205-934-8785, mjgill@uab.edu

Recent findings indicate increases in suicide rates for children and adolescents (109%), with increases particularly high among young African-American males (214%) (CDC, 2002). Much of the existing adolescent research on risk factors of suicidal behaviors has been completed with high school students. Our research focused on correlates of suicidal behavior among an urban sample of fifth-grade children (N=435, 93% African American, 51% male) participating in a CDC-funded study titled the Birmingham Youth Violence Study (BYVS). Self-reported suicidal behavior (considered, planned or attempted) was examined in relation to three potential important risk factors: parental conflict, harsh discipline, and peer conflict (bullying). Suicidal behavior was reported by 12% of the sample. Parental conflict, harsh discipline, and peer conflict were significantly and positively correlated with suicidal behavior. For peer conflict, children who reported having bullied other children were significantly more likely to report suicidal behavior than children who reported having been targets of bullying. These findings indicate that parental conflict, harsh discipline practices, and bullying as perpetrator or victim are risk factors for youth suicidal behavior among fifth-graders. This information is important for two reasons. First, suicidal behaviors are occurring at sufficiently high rates among these fifth-graders to suggest the development and utilization of suicide prevention programs earlier than high school. Second, possible targets for these interventions are parenting practices and peer relations. Multi-component interventions that focus on both of these domains (e.g., parental management training, peer social skills training) may be useful in devising suicide interventions for pre-adolescents.

Learning Objectives: At the condlusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• List three risk factors for child and adolescent suicidal behavior;
• Identify the demographic groups most at risk for child and adolescent suicidal behavior; and
• Recognize the relationship between different types of conflict children and adolescents may confront and the correlation of these factors with suicidal behaviors.

Keywords: Suicide, Child and Adolescent 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.

Recorded presentation