Multilevel risk and protective factors for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents

Abstract

Background: Better characterising risk and protective factors for suicidal distress and self-harm in adolescents may facilitate better targeting of interventions that address underlying vulnerabilities. However, few previous longitudinal studies have: (1) sufficient power to identify key risk and protective factors, (2) limited representativeness to the community and (3) accounted for multilevel factors (individual, family, community). This study aimed to assess prevalence and identify risk and protective factors for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a large cohort of Australian adolescents. Methods: Data from 4,122 adolescents from 134 Australian schools were collected as part of the Future Proofing Study, a prospective cohort study of adolescent mental health and wellbeing. Generalised linear mixed models were used to assess the effect of baseline mental health, lifestyle, social and school-level factors on self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt at 12-month follow-up. Results: At 12-month follow-up, 17.7% of adolescents reported self-harming behaviour, 18.6% reported suicidal ideation and 3.0% reported a suicide attempt. In addition to mental health history, female and gender-diverse identities, LGBTQA+ identity and greater levels of prosocial behaviour were significantly associated with self-harm and suicidal ideation. Peer problems were associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Conclusions: Rates of suicidal distress and self-harm remain high in Australian adolescents. Reducing symptoms of depression, improving peer relationships, mitigating online bullying and providing social support for families may be suitable targets for future prevention and early intervention programs.