Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are rising among youth, especially preadolescents. Despite this trend, most research focuses on adolescents and adults. A recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry addresses this gap, examining psychosocial risk factors for STBs in children aged 7-12.
The study analyzed 192 preadolescents from the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy-Emotional Development (PCIT-ED) cohort, enriched for early childhood depression. Over 12 months, participants underwent regular assessments. High-risk participants (with prior STBs) completed weekly surveys; lower-risk participants completed monthly surveys. Surveys measured STBs and 11 psychosocial factors including depressive symptoms, emotion regulation strategies, affect, burdensomeness, belongingness, and caregiver/peer conflict.
Key Findings
- Concurrent Associations:
Female sex, depressive symptoms, expressive suppression, rumination, perceived burdensomeness, and higher emotional clarity correlated with STBs. Notably, higher emotional clarity—contrary to past research—was linked to increased STBs in preadolescents, potentially reflecting a focus on singular negative emotions.
- Dynamic Risk Patterns:
For high-risk children, week-to-week increases in depressive symptoms, suppression, rumination, burdensomeness, and reduced positive affect predicted STBs. Caregiver criticism/conflict emerged as a prospective (but not concurrent) risk factor.
Clinical Implications
Expressive suppression, rumination, and perceived burdensomeness were consistent risk indicators, offering modifiable intervention targets. Clinicians should:
- Monitor depressive symptoms, rumination, burdensomeness, and family conflict.
- Watch for decreases in positive affect signaling imminent risk.
This study highlights key psychosocial factors linked to preadolescent STBs, particularly emotion regulation and family dynamics. It underscores the importance of early, targeted intervention and calls for further research in diverse populations to enhance prevention strategies.
Reference:
Thompson RJ et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025;64(3):375-385. Abstract