NCJ Number
229982
Journal
Child and Youth Services Volume: 31 Issue: 1/2 Dated: January-June 2009 Pages: 3-13
Date Published
June 2009
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined differences between youth who had considered suicide and their peers in a low-income, predominantly ethnic minority neighborhood.
Abstract
This exploratory study examined differences between elementary-age youth who have considered suicide and their peers using a dataset that was collected from elementary school-age children (N = 51) who participated in an after-school program. Data were collected using a standardized survey assessing daily activities, social support, self-esteem, and antisocial behaviors. Youth considering suicide were distinctive from their peers in two composite measures representing club affiliation and illicit drug use. However, these two groups of youth did not differ in attitudes about school or a composite measure of worry, low confidence, and antisociality. These findings were interpreted as reflecting these vulnerable youths' ambivalence about seeking help, which presents an opportunity for intervention. References (Published Abstract)