Trajectories of Alcohol Use and Suicidal Ideation from Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Exploring the Interplay of Negative Life Events and Perceived Support on the Persistence of Suicidal Ideation.

Abstract

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors represent a major public health concern among adolescents and young adults. Alcohol use can contribute to escalated suicide risk. This study examined potential modifiable risk factors that might impact the relationship between alcohol use and suicidal ideation across adolescence and young adulthood. Data from 137 participants who were followed from 6^th grade through age 30 were included in analyses. Cross lagged panel modeling was used to examine potential impacts of negative life events and perceived social support on the longitudinal relationship between alcohol use and suicidal ideation. Results demonstrate an indirect pathway from alcohol use at age 18 to increased suicidal ideation at ages 22-30 via increased exposure to negative life events. A significant buffering effect of social support appeared to interrupt this pathway. Results highlight social support and negative life events as important targets for intervention to reduce suicidal ideation as adolescents transition into adulthood.