Family Support Mediates the Association Between Substance Use Severity and Suicidal Ideation in Early Adult Emergency Department Patients

Abstract

Suicidality and its etiology in non-treatment-seeking substance abusers is understudied. We address this gap by examining data collected in 2009–2010 on suicidal ideation (SI) in early adult, urban emergency department patients (N = 505) . Prevalence of past year SI was 15 %. A positive, indirect effect of cocaine use severity, but not alcohol or marijuana use severity, on likelihood of SI mediated through family support was found. Implications and future directions for ED practices and suicide risk etiology among this population are discussed, as well as study limitations. Funding provided by the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).