Publication year
2015
Citation Title
Suicidality among military-connected adolescents in California schools.
Journal Name
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Journal Volume
25
Issue Number
1
Page Numbers
61-66
DOI
10.1007/s00787-015-0696-2
Summary
Using data from students in 9th and 11th grades in California schools who completed the California Healthy Kids Survey in 2012-2013, researchers compared the rates of suicidal thoughts and behavior between military-connected and civilian students. Military-connected youth were at higher risk than their civilian peers for all suicide variables measured, including thinking about suicide, making plans to attempt suicide, attempting suicide, and attempting suicide that required medical treatment in the past year.
Key Findings
Military-connected youth had thought seriously about suicide at a significantly higher rate than their civilian peers (24% of military and 18% of civilian youth).
Military-connected youth attempted suicide in the past year at a significantly higher rate than civilian youth (12% of military and 7% of civilian youth).
In the past year, almost 4% of military youth and approximately 2% of civilian youth had attempted suicide which required medical treatment, a statistically significant difference.
Military-connected youth were 1.4 times more likely to have engaged in suicidal ideation, 1.2 times more likely to have made a suicide plan, 1.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide, and 1.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide that required medical treatment in the past year compared to civilian youth.
Implications for Program Leaders
Disseminate information regarding suicidal ideation and behavior among military youth and resources available for youth coping with these issues
Provide public awareness campaigns on installations to increase attention to the risk factors and warning signs for suicide and promote help-seeking when appropriate
Offer support groups for military teens experiencing distress
Implications for Policy Makers
Recommend routine screening of military youth for suicidal ideation
Support programs that work with military youth struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts
Continue to support school liaison staff who are familiar with military culture and can support school personnel in addressing the unique needs of military students
Methods
Data were drawn from the 2012-2013 ongoing California Healthy Kids Survey conducted on behalf of the California Department of Education.
Students completed the anonymous surveys in class, and average time to complete was 50 minutes.
Approximately 80% of schools with 9th and 11th grade students participated, and student participation rate was 85%.
Participants
Three hundred ninety thousand and twenty-eight youth (grades 9 and 11) from California schools participated.
Nine percent of the participants were connected to the military.
Of the military students, 53% were male and 57% were in 9th grade; 51% were Latino/Latina, 19% were White, 15% were Asian American, 10% were multiple races, and 4% were Black.
Of the civilian students, 47% were male, and 51% were in 9th grade; 49% were Latino/Latina, 25% were White, 13% were Asian American, 9% were multiple races, and 3% were Black.
Limitations
Students were drawn from only one state; the extent to which these findings apply to other youth is unknown.
Data were exclusively based on self-report questions administered in a school setting; the extent to which these other variables (e.g., stigma, students’ interpretation of yes/no questions) influenced their responses is unknown.
Potentially important family functioning variables related to military service (e.g., parental deployment) were not examined, which could influence the results.
Avenues for Future Research
Examine the contribution of parental deployment or parental mental health to youth functioning
Replicate this study with military students from other state
Supplement this self-report, quantitative study with qualitative inquiry to more fully understand youths’ experiences and potential avenues for prevention and support
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Previous research indicates that suicidal ideation is higher among military-connected youth than non military-connected youth. This study extends prior work by examining suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts in military-connected and non military-connected adolescents. Data were gathered from 390,028 9th and 11th grade students who completed the 2012–2013 California Healthy Kids Survey. Bivariate comparisons and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted to examine differences in suicidal ideation, plans, attempts, and attempts requiring medical attention between military and not military-connected youth. In multivariate logistic analyses, military-connected youth were at increased risk for suicidal ideation (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI = 1.37–1.49), making a plan to harm themselves (OR = 1.19, CI = 1.06–1.34), attempting suicide (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.43–1.95), and an attempted suicide which required medical treatment (OR = 1.71, CI = 1.34–2.16). These results indicate that military-connected youth statewide are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation, plans, attempts, and attempts requiring medical care because of suicidal behaviors. It is suggested that policies be implemented to increase awareness and screening among primary care providers, school personnel, and military organizations that serve military-connected youth.
Abstract Document
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