It’s All Relative: The Differential Effects of Family Connectedness on Adolescent Suicide Attempts

Abstract

Using an ecological, person-centred approach as an alternative to traditional techniques, this study aims to explore the differential effects of family connectedness as a protective factor for suicide attempts among youth with distinct mental health profiles. Data was drawn from the Youth’07 survey, which is a nationally representative sample of 9,107 secondary students in New Zealand. A latent class analysis grouped students according to selfreported ratings of suicide attempts and behavioural and emotional symptoms as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Family connectedness measures included student perceptions of family connection, family time and family monitoring. Finite mixture regression models were developed to estimate the differential associations between family factors and suicide attempts among these latent groups. Four groups were identified: a baseline group with good emotional health and few behavioural concerns (42%); a younger group of boys with mild behaviour problems (27%); a predominantly female group with emotional difficulties (20%); and a high-risk group with significant emotional and behavioural concerns (11%). The prevalence of suicide attempts in these groups varied considerably from 0.3% in the baseline group to 22% in the high-risk group. More positive family characteristics predicted membership of the baseline group. Family monitoring was associated with fewer suicide attempts in the high-risk group and emotional group, while family connection was associated with decreased rates of suicide attempts in the emotional and baseline groups. Findings indicate that there is significant heterogeneity among students who attempt suicide and the impact of families in protecting against these behaviours varies considerably among these groups. This suggests that different strategies are required, especially for interventions targeting high-risk students.