A longitudinal study of relationship between family conflict and suicidal behavior in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between family conflict and adolescent future suicidal behavior. Methods: A total of 7 072 adolescents who participated in the baseline survey and the first follow-up survey of Shandong Adolescent Behavior and Health Cohort were included in the analysis. They were sampled from 8 middle schools in 3 counties of Shandong province, China. A self-reported questionnaire was used to measure suicidal behavior, family conflict, depression, and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between family conflict and suicidal behavior. Results: In the baseline survey, the age of 7 072 subjects was (14.58±1.45) years, and boys and girls accounted for 50.0% respectively. 750 people (10.6%) had any suicidal behavior, of which 707 (10.0%), 258 (3.6%) and 190 (2.7%) had suicidal ideation, suicide planning and suicide attempt, respectively. The family conflict scores of the suicidal group were higher than those of the non-suicidal group. After adjusting for covariates, logistic regressions showed that family conflict was associated with increased risk of suicidal behavior (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.01-1.10), suicidal ideation (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.00-1.09), suicide planning (OR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.01-1.16) and suicide attempt (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.02-1.19). Further stratified by gender, results showed no significant association between family conflict and suicidal behavior in girls; the association of family conflict with suicidal behavior was more significant in boys, especially for suicidal ideation and suicide planning, and the OR value of the latter was higher than the former. The results were stable after sensitivity analysis in males. Conclusions: Family conflict might increase the risk of adolescent suicidal behavior, especially in males. Harmonious family environment and good family atmosphere are of great significance to adolescent suicide prevention and control.