Recorded presentation

Helen Z. Reinherz, ScD, Jennifer L. Tanner, PhD, Angela D. Paradis, BA, and Sasha R. Berger, BA. School of Social Work, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, (617) 521-3932, reinherz@simmons.edu

Suicidal behavior in adolescents is a serious public and mental health problem (Joiner, 2002) yet few studies have traced its developmental consequence in adulthood. This study of 344 respondents prospectively traces associations between suicidal ideation at age 15 and subsequent functioning across multiple domains at age 30.

This 28-year community study compared the functioning of 76 young adults who expressed suicidal ideation in adolescence with 268 non-ideators. At age 30, self-reports (YASR) and interviewer assessments (GAF) revealed adolescent ideators to have significantly poorer overall behavioral functioning. Ideators were also more likely at age 30 to meet criteria for an Axis I disorder in the past year and were 12 times more likely to have attempted suicide. Indicating compromised psychological well-being, ideators were also lower in self-esteem and in coping ability. At age 30, adolescent ideators had more adult interpersonal problems and were less satisfied with their level of social support. In other areas of adult development, ideators were rated by interviewers as performing more poorly in occupational functioning (SOFAS). Ideators, themselves, at 30, reported both lower salaries and lower overall SES.

In conclusion, suicidal ideation in adolescence serves as a marker of significant psychological distress (Reinherz et al., 1995) and is also predictive of poorer functioning in most young adult developmental tasks. These findings offer clear implications for interventions during adolescence to forestall a pattern of compromised adult functioning.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Describe multiple areas of compromised adult functioning shown by those with suicidal ideation in adolescence. (
• Discuss opportune moments for intervention for youth with suicidal ideation to prevent later poor functioning. (
• Identify types of preventive interventions that could be used with these youth at risk.

Keywords: Adult and Child Mental Health, Suicide

Related Web page: www.simmons.edu/gssw/sls

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