Citation

Chatterji P, Dave D, Kaestner R, Markowitz S. Econ. Hum. Biol. 2004; 2(2): 159-180.

Affiliation

Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, 120 Beacon St., 4th Floor, Somerville, MA 02143, USA. pchatterji@charesearch.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ehb.2004.04.003

PMID

15464000

Abstract

This study uses the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) to explore the causal relationship between alcohol abuse (binge drinking and clinically defined alcohol use disorders) and suicide attempts among youth. We use an empirical approach that allows one to assess the possible existence and strength of a causal relationship without relying on identifying assumptions. Our results suggest that a causal relationship between binge drinking and suicide attempts is very unlikely. The findings, however, support a causal relationship between clinically defined alcohol use disorders and suicide attempts among girls.