A-21 Examining Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents Who Have Sustained Concussions

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To identify correlates of suicidal ideation in adolescents who reported experiencing a concussion in the past year using multivariable models. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 2019 Youth Behavior Risk Survey (YBRS) that included 13,677 participants, of which 1754 (12.8%) reported experiencing a concussion in the past year. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to assess the association between modifiable stress factors (e.g., insufficient sleep, bullying, poor grades, binge drinking, marijuana use, and illicit drug use) and suicidal ideation. Results: Among adolescents who experienced a concussion in the past year, 24.7% also reported suicidal ideation in the past year (31.2% of girls and 19.4% of boys). In multivariable models, only depression (OR = 9.27 for girls and 9.50 for boys) and being bullied (OR = 2.37 for girls and 2.29 for boys) showed associations with suicidal ideation in both girls and boys. Among girls, illicit drug use (OR = 2.80) and current marijuana use (OR = 2.47) also showed an association with suicidal ideation. The number of modifiable stressors was strongly associated with reporting suicidal ideation in the total sample, as follows: 0 stressors = 9.7%, 1 stressor = 21.6%, 2 stressors = 37.2%, 3 stressors = 35.5%, and 4 or more stressors = 52.8%. Conclusions: A sizeable percentage of adolescents who experienced a concussion in the past year also endorsed suicidal ideation in the past year. In multivariable models, depression showed the strongest association with endorsement of suicidal ideation in both girls and boys. A greater number of modifiable stressors was strongly associated with reporting suicidal ideation.