The long-lasting impact of adolescents’ deviant friends on suicidality: a 3-year follow-up perspective

During adolescence, friends are increasingly important for support and values. Do friends also have a long-term impact on
suicidality? This study explored the role of friendship problems (e.g., social isolation) and deviant friends during late
adolescence on suicidal ideation and behavior 3 years later.

Participants were 295 community adolescents (59 % Mexican-American; 41 % European-American) from the United States. Information
about their suicidal ideation and behavior, depression, friendship problems, and deviant friends was collected at baseline
and at a 3-year follow-up.

Having deviant friends was a better predictor of suicidality than having friendship problems, with variability by sex and
ethnicity. Having deviant friends predicted suicidal ideation among Mexican-American adolescents. Having friends who were
disconnected from school was a risk factor for suicidal ideation among European-American adolescents but a protective factor
for suicidal behavior among Mexican-American adolescents, especially boys. Depression played more of a mediating role between
friendship factors and suicidality for European-American than for Mexican-American adolescents.

This study’s findings suggest an influence of adolescents’ deviant friends on suicidality 3 years later. They also call for
the cultural and gender grounding of suicide theory, research and prevention.