Dimensionality of thoughts of death and suicide: evidence from a study of homeless adolescents

Yoder, Kevin A.; Whitbeck, Les B.; Hoyt, Dan R.

doi:10.1007/s11205-007-9095-5

Cited by 34 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(75 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…First, suicidal ideation (SI) consisted of eight items (Cronbach's α=0.91) described in Yoder et al (2007). Adolescents rated (on a scale of 0=none of the time, 1=some of the time, and 2=all of the time) their lifetime thoughts about being dead or committing suicide.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Dimensional Model of Psychopathology Among Homeless Adolescents: Suicidality, Internalizing, and Externalizing Disorders

Yoder

Longley

Whitbeck

et al. 2007

J Abnorm Child Psychol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study examined associations among dimensions of suicidality and psychopathology in a sample of 428 homeless adolescents (56.3% female). Confirmatory factor analysis results provided support for a three-factor model in which suicidality (measured with lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts), internalizing disorders (assessed with lifetime diagnoses of major depressive episode and post-traumatic stress disorder), and externalizing disorders (indicated by lifetime diagnoses of conduct disorder, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse) were positively intercorrelated. The findings illustrate the utility of a dimensional approach that integrates suicidality and psychopathology into one model. KeywordsPsychopathology; Suicidality; Internalizing; Externalizing; Homeless adolescents Dimensions of adolescent suicidality and psychopathology are of increased concern to clinicians and researchers (Bridge et al. 2006;Verona et al. 2004). This interest can be attributed to the relatively high prevalence of adolescent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (Evans et al. 2005) and to suicide being the third leading cause of death among youths ages 15-24 in the USA (Hoyert et al. 2006). Research also indicates both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts increase the risk for completed suicide (Brown et al. 2000). This pattern of increased liability for suicide risk has led to a broader conceptualization of a suicide spectrum ranging from suicidal ideation to attempted and completed suicide (Lewinsohn et al. 1996).Moreover, psychiatric disorders are among the strongest correlates of adolescent suicidality (Bridge et al. 2006). Mood disorders are robust correlates, but post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and substance use disorders are also associated with suicidality (Bridge et al. 2006;Evans et al. 2004). Krueger (1999), informed by the work of Achenbach (Achenbach and McConaughy 1997), developed a dimensional model of psychopathology and clustered psychiatric diagnoses into internalizing and externalizing disorders. As specific psychiatric disorders from both clusters are related to suicidal ideation and attempts, there is interest in linking the suicide spectrum to these broader dimensions of psychopathology (Hills et al. 2005;Verona et al. 2004).Our study expands on this work by including the internalizing and externalizing dimensions of psychopathology in a structural model of adolescent suicidality using a sample of homeless adolescents. Suicidality is measured with lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, internalizing psychopathology with lifetime diagnoses of major depressive episode and posttraumatic stress disorder, and externalizing psychopathology with lifetime diagnoses of conduct disorder, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse. We use confirmatory factor analysis to examine covariances among dimensions of suicidality, internalizing, and externalizing disorders. Internalizing and Externalizing DisordersAchenbach used an empirical approach to derive two broad dimensions (internalizing...

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Dimensional Model of Psychopathology Among Homeless Adolescents: Suicidality, Internalizing, and Externalizing Disorders

Yoder

Longley

Whitbeck

et al. 2007

J Abnorm Child Psychol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One of the most common anxiety disorders among homeless youth is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with studies indicating that one-quarter to one-third of homeless youth meet criteria for this disorder [52,96]. Mood disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, are also prevalent among this population.…”

Section: Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The overall rates of disruptive behavior disorders suggest that the majority of homeless youth meet criteria for at least one of these disorders. Some studies indicate that approximately three-quarters of homeless youth meet life-time criteria for Conduct Disorder [42,96,99]. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also common, with one study finding almost one third of participants meeting criteria for diagnosis [52].…”

Section: Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also common, with one study finding almost one third of participants meeting criteria for diagnosis [52]. The relative prevalence rates of disruptive behaviors disorders is also notable, as research has suggested that they are four times more common in homeless youth than housed youth [42,96,99]. In contrast to the gender differences that exist in internalizing symptoms, males are more likely to be diagnosed with externalizing disorders [80].…”

Section: Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Mental and Physical Health of Homeless Youth: A Literature Review

Edidin

Ganim

Hunter

et al. 2011

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev

351

325

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Youth homelessness is a growing concern in the United States. Despite difficulties studying this population due to inconsistent definitions of what it means to be a youth and homeless, the current body of research indicates that abuse, family breakdown, and disruptive family relationships are common contributing factors to youth homelessness. Moreover, the experience of homelessness appears to have numerous adverse implications and to affect neurocognitive development and academics, as well as mental and physical health. Substance use, sexually transmitted infections, and psychiatric disorders are particularly prevalent in this population. Whereas some of these problems may be short-lived, the chronic stress and deprivation associated with homelessness may have long-term effects on development and functioning. Further, difficulties accessing adequate and developmentally-appropriate health care contribute to more serious health concerns. Suggestions for future research and interventions are discussed.

show abstract

“…Although there is a growing literature on suicidality among these high-risk adolescents (e.g. Kidd, & Carroll, 2007;Yoder, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2008), no study has examined multiple attempters (Kidd, 2003). Research on clinical and community samples of youths indicates significant social, psychological and psychiatric problems among *Corresponding author.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing subgroups of suicidal homeless adolescents: Multiple attempters, single attempters and ideators

Yoder¹,

Whitbeck²,

Hoyt³

2010

Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study compared multiple attempters, single attempters, ideators and non-suicidal homeless adolescents from the Midwestern United States. The data were collected in 1999-2000 from youths aged 16-19 years. More than one-quarter (26.7%) of the 405 participants made multiple lifetime attempts, 9.8% attempted suicide once, 48.9% thought about -but did not attempt -suicide and 14.6% never attempted or thought about suicide. Multiple attempters, relative to all other youths, evidenced more family, street, psychological and psychiatric problems. Single attempters reported more suicidal ideation than did ideators, and single attempters endured more family problems and were more likely to meet criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than were nonsuicidal participants. Finally, both single attempters and ideators experienced more psychological problems and number of psychiatric diagnoses than did non-suicidal youths.

show abstract

Dimensionality of thoughts of death and suicide: evidence from a study of homeless adolescents

Cited by 34 publications

References 65 publications

A Dimensional Model of Psychopathology Among Homeless Adolescents: Suicidality, Internalizing, and Externalizing Disorders

A Dimensional Model of Psychopathology Among Homeless Adolescents: Suicidality, Internalizing, and Externalizing Disorders

The Mental and Physical Health of Homeless Youth: A Literature Review

Comparing subgroups of suicidal homeless adolescents: Multiple attempters, single attempters and ideators

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About