Social Anxiety Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in a Clinical Sample of Early Adolescents: Examining Loneliness and Social Support as Longitudinal Mediators

Abstract

Recent research has shown that social anxiety may be related to increased risk for suicidal ideation in teens, although this research largely has been cross-sectional and has not examined potential mediators of this relationship. A clinical sample of 144 early adolescents (72 % female; 12–15 years old) was assessed during psychiatric inpatient hospitalization and followed up at 9 and 18 months post-baseline. Symptoms of social anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, loneliness, and perceived social support were assessed via structured interviews and self-report instruments. Structural equation modeling revealed a significant direct relationship between social anxiety symptoms at baseline and suicidal ideation at 18 months post-baseline, even after controlling for baseline depressive symptoms and ideation. A second multiple mediation model revealed that baseline social anxiety had a significant indirect effect on suicidal ideation at 18 months post-baseline through loneliness at 9 months post-baseline. Social anxiety did not have a significant indirect effect on suicidal ideation through perceived social support from either parents or close friends. Findings suggest that loneliness may be particularly implicated in the relationship between social anxiety and suicidality in teens. Clinicians should assess and address feelings of loneliness when treating socially anxious adolescents.

Risk profile of young people admitted to hospital for suicidal behaviour in Melbourne, Australia

“…A small number of previous studies have attempted to document the profile of children and adolescents admitted to inpatient mental health units due to suicidal behaviour . Whilst several of these studies have examined the patients' age, gender and primary diagnoses, few have examined the presence of established risk factors (see Table ).…”

Family environment as a moderator of the association between anxiety and suicidal ideation

“…In one study conducted with a community sample [9], the relationship between anxiety and suicidality was found to be stronger among youth without a history of bullying victimization. In another study conducted with a clinical sample of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents, loneliness was found to mediate the relationship between social anxiety and SI [10]. Although this research is informative, additional theory-driven research is needed to improve our understanding of the mechanisms through which anxiety affects suicidality among high-risk youth.…”

Association Between Social Phobia and Parenting Styles Among Secondary School Students

“…It is worth noting that social phobia is being as twice among girls as among boys. [7]. Social phobia is correlated with significant functional impairment in educational achievement, occupational, performance, social interaction, relationships, and quality of life [8].…”