Citation

Wu P, Hoven CW, Liu X, Cohen P, Fuller CJ, Shaffer D. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2004; 34(4): 408-420.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1521/suli.34.4.408.53733

PMID

15585462

PMCID

PMC3086736

Abstract

Using data from a community sample of youth ( N = 1,458; ages 9-17), this study assessed the association between adolescent substance use/abuse and suicidal behaviors. Suicide attempts were strongly associated with alcohol abuse and dependence, followed by frequent cigarette smoking. The associations remained significant even after controlling for depression. The associations between substance use/abuse and suicidal ideation were no longer significant after controlling for depression. These findings highlight the important role that substance use plays in adolescent suicidal behaviors.