Network analysis of risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation in adolescents

Abstract

Adolescent suicidal ideation is influenced by numerous risk and protective factors. However, the manner in which these factors jointly impact adolescent suicidal ideation remains unclear. This study used network analysis to evaluate the associations between common risk and protective factors and suicidal ideation among adolescents, and to identify the key pathways connecting them. The study included 1992 adolescents aged 12–18 years from 13 Chinese middle schools, and scores on several scales (evaluating Psychological Suzhi, Positive and Negative Emotions, Perceived Social Support, Suicidal Ideation, Negative Life Events) were used to construct a network model. We constructed two models: a regularized partial correlation network and a Bayesian directed acyclic graph (DAG). The findings were as follows: (1) family support, significant others’ support and positive emotions negatively predicted suicidal ideation among adolescents, while other life events and negative emotions positively predicted suicidal ideation. (2) Being punished and relationship stress indirectly enhanced suicidal ideation. (3) The cognitive quality of Psychological Suzhi was located upstream and had an important influence on the entire network according to the DAG. (4) Suicidal ideation was a terminal node.