Abstract
Background
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.
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.
Results
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.
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.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0529-2
- Authors
- Erin Winterrowd, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI, USA
- Silvia Sara Canetto, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954