RUNNING HEAD: ANALYSIS: SUICIDE PREVENTION IN YOUTH

Analysis: Suicide Prevention in Youth and Young Adults

Shanirah Sweeper

Liberty University
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Introduction

Suicide is a worldwide phenomenon that affects people of all demographics and

backgrounds. It is the second leading cause of death, worldwide, in adolescents aged 15 to 19,

and the second leading cause of death in youth and young adults aged 10 to 24 (Udoetuk,

Idicula, Jabbar, Shah, 2019). This is as compared to unintentional injury

(Udoetuk, et. al., 2019). Compared to the latter, suicide accounts for 60% of

deaths ages 10 to 14 and 47% of deaths in ages 15 to 24 (Udoetuk, et. al.,

2019). Gender also plays a role in suicide impacts, where males aged 15 to

24 have a completion rate that is four times higher than their female

counterparts (Udoetuk, et. al., 2019). However, females of this age range

demonstrate higher percentages in suicide attempts and planning;

additionally, female youth and young adults have a higher rate of non-

suicidal self-injury and presenting to emergency departments (Udoetuk, et.

al., 2019). Suicide also varies across demographics and ethnicities, where it

is cited as the highest among Native American youth and young adults, and,

though the rate has been lower, historically, it is increasing amongst African

Americans (Udoetuk, et. al., 2019). As well known, suicide highly impacts the

LGBT+ community as well (Udoetuk, et. al., 2019).

Psychiatric disorders increase the likeliness of suicide among youth,

according to Udoetuk, et. al. (2019). Those youth and young adults with

depression are 20 to 30 times more likely to attempt or commit, among the

general population (Udoetuk, et. al., 2019). Despite this, Udoetuk, et. al.

(2019) report that “more than half of adolescents who committed suicide did
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not have a diagnosed mental health disorder” (Udoetuk, et. al., 2019). For

this reason, it is important that all (not just mental health) clinicians are

aware of the risk factors and warning signs of suicide among youth and

young adults (Udoetuk, et. al., 2019).

Key Warning Signs and Interventions

Udoetuk, et. al. (2019) report the following as key warning signs, or

risk factors, of suicide in youth and young adults: nonsuicidal self-injury,

previous suicide attempts, psychopatholgy, peer victimization, history of

sexual and/or physical trauma, social isolation, poor problem-solving and

coping method, low self-esteem, family dysfunction, chronic violence

exposure, and easy access to deadly weapons. They identify these

“protective factors” as methods of intervention: lack of access to deadly

weapons, access to mental health services, positive connections with peers

and school, stability within the family, religious involvement, and effective

problem-solving and resiliency.

Cole-Lewis, Gipson, Opperman, Arrango, and King (2016) conducted to

research to address the challenges experienced with identifying suicide risks

in adolescents. They specifically dive into the efficacy of the tool,

Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior (IPTS) which

measures thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and an

acquired capability for lethal self-injury as predictors for suicide attempts

among adolescents (Cole-Lewis, et. al., 2016). These researchers provide

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insight into the theory which proposes that the first two aforementioned

factors “influence the desire for death”, while the latter factor is defined as

“fearlessness about physical pain and death itself” which are typically

demonstrated by “risky behaviors or painful and fear-provoking experiences”

(Cole-Lewis, et. al., 2016). These researchers note the limitations of previous

studies of IPTS related to population focus, noting the effects may be

different across developmental stages. The study aims to bring the focus of

IPTS to adolescents to contribute to well-rounded reports of its measures

across various age groups. Sense of belongingness in the family is noted as a

focal point for this study as well, and its interactions with burdensomeness

as they related to suicidal ideation in adolescents (Cole-Lewis, et. al., 2016).

These researchers were careful to evaluate these factors as they relate

to biological sex, taking care to note that previous research does not place

emphasis on males and their experiences of the contributing factors to

suicidal ideation and attempts. Overall, they took the research to the next

step by controlling for sex differences, noting that previous research has not

done so regarding IPTS. By doing so, they aimed to contribute to reports

which may deem the theory more useful with one sex than the other. The

study is conducted with an accurately representative population, those

adolescents currently experiencing hospitalization due to psychiatric reasons

– acute suicidal ideation or attempt (Cole-Lewis, et. al., 2016). The results

reveal that the theory is effective in assessing adolescents and that sex

differences are notable factors of its efficacy.

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Family Response and Interventions

Czyz, Horwitz, Yeguez, Ewell Foster, King (2017) conducted research to

address parent self-efficacy in suicide prevention in youth sent to the

emergency department with high-risk suicidality. Within this study, the

importance of the parents’ competence and confidence in their ability to

implement these methods is apparent in the prevention of suicide among

youth. Factors such as teen characteristics played a role in self-efficacy

among parents; parents of teens demonstrating higher risk reported lower

self-efficacy (Czyz, et. al., 2017). With lower self-efficacy, it is less likely that

prevention methods will be implemented.

Simple interventions such as being able to identify suicide warnings or

being able to ask the teen if he or she is thinking about suicide are a part of

the prevention methods (Czyz, et. al., 2017). Czyz, et. al. (2017) note family-

based CBT paired with follow-up calls from ED case management were

effective and increase the likelihood of teen participation in outpatient

therapy. McWhirter, McWhirter, McWhirter, and McWhirter (2017) explain the

EcoFIT Model as an effective intervention within the family and addressing

conflict and problem or maladaptive behaviors in the teen(s). This would be a

great model for the families like those mentioned in the Czyz, et. al. text to

help empower the parent to become effective with intervention and

prevention.

Conclusion
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Suicide is a serious and unfortunate occurrence that happens far too

often within society, especially is it pertains to youth and young adults. With

education of signs, prevention, and intervention methods, parents/families,

communities, and schools can play a role in reducing the number of

occurrences. As noted herein, it is highly likely that those who attempt or

commit suicide do not even have an medically diagnosed mental health

disorder. All members of the aforementioned portions of the Ecological

model must work together to ensure the well-being of youth and young

adults of all backgrounds.

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References

Cole-Lewis, Y. C., Gipson, P. Y, Opperman, K. J., Arango, A. & King, C. A.

(2016). Protective role of religious involvement against depression and
suicidal ideation among youth with interpersonal problems. Journal of
Religious Health, 55, pps. 1172–1188. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-016-0194-
y
Czyz, E.K., Horwitz, A.G., Yeguez, C.E., Ewell Foster, C.J., & King, C.A. (2018).
Parental self-efficacy to support teens during a suicidal crisis and
future adolescent emergency department visits and suicide attempts.
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 47(1), 384-396.
Retrieved from:
https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/full/10.1080/1537
4416.2017.1342546

McWhirter, J.J., McWhirter, B.T., McWhirter, E.E., & McWhirter, A.C. (2017). At-rick youth: A
comprehensive response. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

Udoetuk, S., Idicula, S., Jabbar, Q., & Shah, A. A. (2019). Suicide in adolescents. Psychiatric
Annals, 49(6), 269-272. Retrieved from:
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.3928/00485713-20190509-01