Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior Research Articles

Effects of school sandplay group therapy on children victims of cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying among children is increasing every year, leading to serious public health problems. Victims suffer serious aftereffects such as depression and suicidal ideation; therefore, early and appropriate psychological intervention and the role of schools are emphasized. This study investigated the effects of school sandplay group therapy (SSGT) on children affected by cyberbullying. This study was designed as a parallel-group non-randomized controlled trial. The study subjects were 139 elementary school students (mean age 11.35 years; standard deviation, 0.479; age range 12-13 years) residing in Cheonan City, Korea, who were assigned to the intervention and comparison groups. The intervention group received 10 sessions of therapy on a weekly basis, for 40 minutes per session. No therapy was administered in the control group. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using the Children Depression Inventory, Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The assessment for the comparison group was performed concurrently with that of the intervention group. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. In this study, the SSGT group showed a significant decrease in depression and suicidal ideation compared to the control group after sandplay group therapy (SGT), and a significant increase in self-esteem. It was confirmed that SSGT can mitigate the negative consequences of cyberbullying and strengthen protective factors. This suggests that the SSGT can be successfully used for crisis counseling.

Abnormal amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values as a neuroimaging biomarker for major depressive disorder with suicidal attempts in adolescents: A resting-state fMRI and support vector machine analysis.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with suicidal attempts (SAs) among adolescents, with suicide being the most common cause of mortality in this age group. This study explored the predictive utility of support vector machine (SVM)-based analyses of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) results as a neuroimaging biomarker for aiding the diagnosis of MDD with SA in adolescents. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) analyses of 71 first-episode, drug-naive adolescent MDD patients with SA and 54 healthy control individuals were conducted. ALFF and SVM methods were used to analyze the imaging data. Relative to healthy control individuals, adolescent MDD patients with a history of SAs showed reduced ALFF values in the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus (mSFG) and bilateral precuneus. These lower ALFF values were also negatively correlated with child depression inventory (CDI) scores while reduced bilateral precuneus ALFF values were negatively correlated with Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire Junior (SIQ-JR) scores. SVM analyses showed that reduced ALFF values in the bilateral mSFG and bilateral precuneus had diagnostic accuracy levels of 76.8% (96/125) and 82.4% (103/125), respectively. Adolescent MDD patients with a history of SA exhibited abnormal ALFF. The identified abnormalities in specific brain regions may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition and may help identify at-risk adolescents. Specifically, reductions in the ALFF in the bilateral mSFG and bilateral precuneus may be indicative of MDD and SA in adolescent patients.

2.21 Equipercentile Linking of Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior and the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Treatment of Adolescent Depression

The efficient and valid assessment of suicidality is a challenge for clinical practice and research studies. The Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-Jr) is a widely used screening instrument to assess suicidal ideation and suicide risk. The Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I) is a practical clinician-rated instrument that has been used in clinical research over the years. We aimed to investigate the benchmarks of clinically significant change of the SIQ-Jr absolute score by equipercentile linking with CGI-I scores.

44.7 Building Resilience and Attachment in Vulnerable Adolescents (BRAVA): Piloting a Virtual Adaptation of a Brief Group Intervention for Adolescents With Mild-to-Moderate Suicidal Ideation and Their Caregivers

Objectives: Suicidal ideation (SI) is common in adolescents and increases the risk of completed suicide. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers rapidly shifted to providing telehealth and virtual options for clients. Building Resilience and Attachment in Vulnerable Adolescents (BRAVA) is a group intervention designed for adolescents and their caregivers to reduce adolescent SI. The objective of this study was to adapt BRAVA for virtual delivery and evaluate the feasibility of this adaptation. Methods: We conducted an 8-week open trial between October and December 2020. Twelve participants (6 adolescents and 6 primary caregivers) were recruited from a pediatric hospital in Eastern Ontario. Through Zoom, adolescents and caregivers completed an intake assessment together, 6 weekly BRAVA group sessions separately, and an exit assessment together 1-week post-BRAVA. The primary adolescent outcome variable was the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire Junior (SIQ-JR). Data were analyzed in IBM SPSS v.27. Pre-post comparisons on the SIQ-JR were done with a 2-tailed t test for matched pairs. Results: The study uptake rate was 42.9% of the eligible participants. There were no study dropouts. Adolescent (Mean [M] age = 15.3 years;SD age = 1.0;66.7% female) and caregiver attendance rates for BRAVA group sessions were high (median = 6). Overall group satisfaction scores were high for adolescents (M = 4.2;SD = 0.8) and their caregivers (M = 4.2;SD = 0.7). Most youth (83.4%) and caregivers (66.7%) reported that the virtual process worked well. Whereas all caregivers (100%) agreed they would participate in a virtual group session again, youth responses were more variable (50% agree, 33.3% neutral, 16.7% disagree). Adolescent SI decreased after completing the intervention (M pretreatment [tx] = 50.7, SD pretreatment [tx] = 16.7;M post-tx = 29.7, SD post-tx = 20.4;t = 5.7;95% CI, 11.52-30.5;p = 0.002). Conclusions: Study results indicate that the virtual delivery of BRAVA is feasible. Study uptake was good, retention was complete, and satisfaction was high for adolescents and their caregivers. Importantly, initial results suggest that this adaptation of BRAVA may help reduce SI in adolescents. Feedback from participants will inform further changes to improve the adaptation of BRAVA for use in a planned RCT. S, ADOL, FT

Efficacy of attachment-based family therapy compared to treatment as usual for suicidal ideation in adolescents with MDD.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is the only empirically supported family therapy model designed to treat adolescent depression, including those at risk for suicide, and their families. ABFT aims to repair interpersonal ruptures and rebuild an emotionally protective parent-child relationship. To study the effectiveness of ABFT compared with Treatment as Usual (TAU) in reducing suicidal ideation in clinically depressed adolescents. Sixty adolescents (86.7% girls), aged 13 to 18 years (M = 14.9), with major depressive disorder referred to two CAMHS were randomized to receive 16 weeks of ABFT or TAU. ABFT consisted of weekly therapy sessions according to the treatment manual. Suicidal ideation was measured with the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks. Linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypothesis, time was the only factor to have a significant effect on suicidal ideation t(31.05) = −3.32, p < .01. Participants in both treatment groups reported significantly reduced suicidal ideation, but the majority were still in the clinical range after 16 weeks of treatment. ABFT was not associated with more favorable outcomes than TAU. Findings must be interpreted with caution given the study limitations.

Suicidal Ideation among Youths at Risk of School Dropout: Impact of Student Demographics, Stressors, and Academic Self-Concept

In the United States, suicidal ideation is an issue for high school-age youths. Research supports that youths who have learning difficulties and who are at risk of high school dropout are at greater risk for suicidal ideation. Although alternative high schools address both student academics and emotional health, they are underused, nonclinical settings for understanding and addressing suicidal ideation. This study aimed to examine the impact of student identity, external stressors, and academic self-concept on suicidal ideation among sexual and ethnic minority and underserved students enrolled in an alternative education public high school. The student sample (N = 103) completed a onetime survey comprised of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, the Cultural Assessment of Risk of Suicide, the Coddington Life Events Scale for Adolescents, and the Piers Harris 2. Results of hierarchical linear regression indicated that identifying as nonheterosexual and experiencing discrimination were associated with greater student reporting of suicidal ideation. Identifying as Latino and other non-White was associated with lower reporting of suicidal ideation. Controlling for student demographics and external stressors, positive academic self-concept was associated with a lower reporting of suicidal ideation. Findings have future implications for health social work, suicide prevention and intervention, and education policy.

Depressive symptom severity mediates the association between avoidant problem-solving style and suicidal ideation

BackgroundThe contemporaneous association between avoidant style, a maladaptive social problem-solving strategy, and adolescent suicidal ideation has been well established. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are not well understood. Using cross-lagged panel modeling, the present study examined whether depressive symptom severity mediates the relation between avoidant style and severity of suicidal ideation. The specificity of depressive symptom severity as a mediator was also evaluated by simultaneously testing whether avoidant style mediates the association between depressive symptom and suicidal ideation severity. MethodsThe sample included 110 adolescents enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical effectiveness trial. Avoidant style as well as depressive symptom and suicidal ideation severity were assessed via self-report with the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, Children's Depression Scale-2, and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, respectively, at baseline, 3-and 6-months. ResultsAfter accounting for participant age, sex, and treatment condition, path analyses supported the specificity of 3-month depressive symptom severity as a mediator of the association between baseline levels of avoidant style and 6-month suicidal ideation severity. LimitationsResults may not be generalizable to non-clinical samples. Causality cannot be inferred from study results. Data were exclusively collected via self-report. ConclusionsFindings suggest that avoidant style is indirectly related to suicidal ideation through depressive symptom severity. Thus, treatment targeted at improving social problem-solving skills, particularly avoidant style, may help reduce depressive symptoms and lower suicide risk.

Factor structure and validity of the SIQ-JR in a southwest American Indian tribe.

Previous literature is severely limited in evaluation of psychometric properties of suicide screening methods in American Indian (AI) populations, despite the disproportionate burden of suicide faced within AI communities. The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR) for AI youth using 2 community samples of AI adolescents from a Southwestern tribe. The present study sample was comprised of 114 participants (n = 91 and n = 23), ages 10-19 years of age, from 2 studies, both of which were administered the SIQ-JR within 90 days of an index suicide attempt. Findings indicated that a two-factor model resulted in appropriate fit indices with AI youth, a general ideation index and an active ideation index. Scores on the active ideation and general ideation indices were also related to cumulative stress, self-reported suicidal ideation and previous suicide attempt, providing a measure of convergent validity. Finally, use of cutpoint of 20, rather than published cutpoint of 31, evidenced marginally better positive and negative predictive values, with sensitivity within acceptable ranges. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Innovations in Practice: Intensive crisis intervention for adolescent suicidal ideation and behavior - an open trial.

Adolescent suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions targeting youth suicide risk is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of Intensive Crisis Intervention (ICI), a cognitive-behavioral, family-centered treatment that provides an alternative to longer inpatient care. Intensive Crisis Intervention was piloted over a two-year period with 50 adolescents (Mage =15.1years; 86% Female; 78% Caucasian) admitted to an intensive crisis stabilization unit presenting with suicidal ideation and/or attempts. Data were collected at admission, 30days, and 3months post-admission to evaluate changes in suicidal ideation and functioning over time. Follow-up data were provided by 88% of study participants. At 3months, the mean Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior score improved 34.2 points relative to baseline (effect size of 2.2, p<.0001). Significant improvements in functioning, high rates of consumer satisfaction and readiness for care transition upon discharge were also reported. Study findings set the stage for a larger, randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of ICI in targeting suicidal ideation and behavior in adolescents.

FEASIBILITY OF A MANUALIZED FAMILY-BASED SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY TO REDUCE ADOLESCENT SUICIDE RISK AMONG EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT REFERRED YOUTH: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Abstract BACKGROUND Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian children and adolescents. Youth who present at an Emergency Department (ED) for suicidal ideation and risk behaviours (SRB) are at increased risk for eventual suicide. Despite this risk, current approaches to standard of care are referral to community resources or primary care where waitlists are common, and interventions may not be evidence-based or incorporate crisis management or family participation. OBJECTIVES To determine the feasibility and acceptability of a manualized, family-centered suicide prevention intervention administered in an outpatient clinic for ED-referred youth. DESIGN/METHODS Youth (aged 12 – 18) and parents presenting to the ED for SRB and referred to the Urgent Psychiatry Care clinic were eligible for the QI program, consisting of weekly individual and family sessions delivered over a 6-week period. The therapist addressed common symptoms and concerns of suicidal youth, sources of conflict within the family, and ways to improve communication and ensure patient safety. Patients were excluded if they did not have a parent or caregiver able to participate. Suicidal ideation and behavior were assessed using youth-report measures, the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR) and the Harkavy-Asnis Suicide Scale (HASS), at baseline and following program completion. The Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (MFQ) was used to measure depressive symptoms. Participant and therapist feedback was collected at follow-up using quantitative and qualitative measures. RESULTS Ten patients were enrolled and completed baseline measures, however four participants withdrew prior to 6 week completion: two withdrew at week 2 and one participant each withdrew at weeks 3 and 6. As such, 7/10 completed 5 weeks of the intervention. Significant improvement in both suicidal ideation (SIQ-JR, x̅ = -16.67; t(5) = 3.125, p = .026) and SRB (HASS, x̅ = -20.17; t(5) = 3.204, p = .024) were observed. Depressive symptoms also decreased (MFQ, x̅ = -15.5, t(5) = 2.724, p = .042). Youth and caregivers rated the program favorably. Improved family communication was most frequently reported by both patients and caregivers as a main benefit of the program. CONCLUSION These preliminary data indicate that SRB may be improved by a brief manualized, family-focused therapy. Early data suggest that the protocol is feasible and acceptable for adolescents presenting to the ED with safety concerns, and warrant further examination in a controlled trial.

Frequency and Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Pediatric Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

This study examined the frequency and sociodemographic and clinical correlates of suicidal ideation in a sample of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fifty-four youth with OCD and their parent(s) were administered the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime, Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, and Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Children completed the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR), Child Obsessive Compulsive Impact Scale-Child, and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children; parents completed the Child Obsessive Compulsive Impact Scale-Parent, Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV Parent Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale-Parent Version. Seven youth endorsed clinically significant levels of suicidal ideation on the SIQ-JR. Suicidal ideation was significantly related to clinician-rated depressive symptoms, age, child-rated impairment and anxiety symptoms, and symmetry, sexuality/religiosity and miscellaneous symptom dimensions. There was no significant association between suicidal ideation and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity, comorbidity patterns, or several parent-rated indices (e.g., impairment, impulsivity). These results provide initial information regarding the frequency and correlates of suicidal ideation in treatment-seeking youth with OCD. Clinical implications are discussed, as well as directions for future research.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Reynolds’ suicidal ideation questionnaire: psychometric properties and its short version

BackgroundThis study aims to validate the Chinese version of the Reynolds’ Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) in a Chinese society and explore a convenient short version.MethodsA sample of 711 cases was derived from two territory-wide surveys of Hong Kong adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old.ResultsThe SIQ and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR) demonstrated good reliability and concurrent validity among Hong Kong adolescents. However, the factor structure for both SIQ and SIQ-JR appeared to be unclear. A four-item short form of the SIQ-JR, namely, SIQ-JR-4, was proposed.ConclusionThe SIQ-JR-4 is an ideal substitute of the SIQ/SIQ-JR for future quick assessment of suicidal ideation in Chinese young adolescents.

Suicidal ideation of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents has one-year predictive validity for suicide attempts in girls only.

Clinicians commonly incorporate adolescents' self-reported suicidal ideation into formulations regarding adolescents' risk for suicide. Data are limited, however, regarding the extent to which adolescent boys' and girls' reports of suicidal ideation have clinically significant predictive validity in terms of subsequent suicidal behavior. This study examined psychiatrically hospitalized adolescent boys' and girls' self-reported suicidal ideation as a predictor of suicide attempts during the first year following hospitalization. A total of 354 adolescents (97 boys; 257 girls; ages 13-17years) hospitalized for acute suicide risk were evaluated at the time of hospitalization as well as 3, 6, and 12months later. Study measures included the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Youth Self-Report, and Personal Experiences Screen Questionnaire. The main study outcome was presence and number of suicide attempt(s) in the year after hospitalization, measured by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. Results indicated a significant interaction between suicidal ideation, assessed during first week of hospitalization, and gender for the prediction of subsequent suicide attempts. Suicidal ideation was a significant predictor of subsequent suicide attempts for girls, but not boys. Baseline history of multiple suicide attempts was a significant predictor of subsequent suicide attempts across genders. Results support the importance of empirically validating suicide risk assessment strategies separately for adolescent boys and girls. Among adolescent boys who have been hospitalized due to acute suicide risk, low levels of self-reported suicidal ideation may not be indicative of low risk for suicidal behavior following hospitalization.

What’s the Harm in Asking About Suicidal Ideation?

Both researchers and oversight committees share concerns about patient safety in the study-related assessment of suicidality. However, concern about assessing suicidal thoughts can be a barrier to the development of empirical evidence that informs research on how to safely conduct these assessments. A question has been raised if asking about suicidal thoughts can result in iatrogenic increases of such thoughts, especially among at-risk samples. The current study repeatedly tested suicidal ideation at 6-month intervals for up to 2-years. Suicidal ideation was measured with the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire Junior, and administered to adolescents who had previously received inpatient psychiatric care. Change in suicidal ideation was tested using several analytic techniques, each of which pointed to a significant decline in suicidal ideation in the context of repeated assessment. This and previous study outcomes suggest that asking an at-risk population about suicidal ideation is not associated with subsequent increases in suicidal ideation.

Adolescent Suicide Risk Screening in the Emergency Department

Many adolescents who die by suicide have never obtained mental health services. In response to this, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention recommends screening for elevated suicide risk in emergency departments (EDs). This cross-sectional study was designed to examine 1) the concurrent validity and utility of an adolescent suicide risk screen for use in general medical EDs and 2) the prevalence of positive screens for adolescent males and females using two different sets of screening criteria. Participants were 298 adolescents seeking pediatric or psychiatric emergency services (50% male; 83% white, 16% black or African American, 5.4% Hispanic). The inclusion criterion was age 13 to 17 years. Exclusion criteria were severe cognitive impairment, no parent or legal guardian present to provide consent, or abnormal vital signs. Parent or guardian consent and adolescent assent were obtained for 61% of consecutively eligible adolescents. Elevated risk was defined as 1) Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior [SIQ-JR] score of > or =31 or suicide attempt in the past 3 months or 2) alcohol abuse plus depression (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-3 [AUDIT-3] score of > or =3, Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-2 [RADS-2] score of > or =76). The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) were used to ascertain concurrent validity. Sixteen percent (n = 48) of adolescents screened positive for elevated suicide risk. Within this group, 98% reported severe suicide ideation or a recent suicide attempt (46% attempt and ideation, 10% attempt only, 42% ideation only) and 27% reported alcohol abuse and depression. Nineteen percent of adolescents who screened positive presented for nonpsychiatric reasons. One-third of adolescents with positive screens were not receiving any mental health or substance use treatment. Demonstrating concurrent validity, the BHS scores of adolescents with positive screens and the POSIT scores of those with positive screens due to alcohol abuse and depression indicated substantial impairment. The addition of alcohol abuse with co-occurring depression as a positive screen criterion did not result in improved case identification. Among the subgroup screening positive due to depression plus alcohol abuse, all but one (>90%) also reported severe suicide ideation and/or a recent suicide attempt. This subgroup (approximately 17% of adolescents who screened positive) also reported significantly more impulsivity than other adolescents who screened positive. The suicide risk screen showed evidence of concurrent validity. It also demonstrated utility in identifying 1) adolescents at elevated risk for suicide who presented to the ED with unrelated medical concerns and 2) a subgroup of adolescents who may be at highly elevated risk for suicide due to the combination of depression, alcohol abuse, suicidality, and impulsivity.

The Youth-Nominated Support Team–Version II for suicidal adolescents: A randomized controlled intervention trial.

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the Youth-Nominated Support Team-Version II (YST-II) for suicidal adolescents, an intervention based on social support and health behavior models, which was designed to supplement standard treatments. Psychiatrically hospitalized and suicidal adolescents, 13-17 years of age, were randomly assigned to treatment-as-usual (TAU) + YST-II (n = 223) or TAU only (n = 225). YST-II provided tailored psychoeducation to youth-nominated adults in addition to weekly check-ins for 3 months following hospitalization. In turn, these adults had regular supportive contact with adolescents. Adolescents assigned to TAU + YST-II had an average of 3.43 (SD = 0.83) nominated adults. Measures included the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR; W. M. Reynolds, 1988), Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (E. O. Poznanski & H. B. Mokros, 1996), Beck Hopelessness Scale (A. T. Beck & R. A. Steer, 1993), and Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS; K. Hodges, 1996). YST-II had very limited positive effects, which were moderated by history of multiple suicide attempts, and no negative effects. It resulted in more rapid decreases in suicidal ideation (SIQ-JR) for multiple suicide attempters during the initial 6 weeks after hospitalization (small-to-moderate effect size). For nonmultiple attempters, it was associated with greater declines in functional impairment (CAFAS) at 3 and 12 months (small effect sizes). YST-II had no effects on suicide attempts and no enduring effects on SIQ-JR scores.

Assessment of Psychiatrically Hospitalized Suicidal Adolescents: Self-Report Instruments as Predictors of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

The validity and clinical utility of the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, and Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) were examined longitudinally among suicidal adolescents. Between 1998 and 2000, 289 psychiatrically hospitalized, suicidal youth, ages 12 to 17 years, participated in this study. Self-report measures were completed at baseline. Clinician-rated suicidality and suicide attempt were collected at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Baseline self-reports were internally consistent and strongly intercorrelated within male, female, white, and black subsamples. All of the measures predicted follow-up suicidality and suicide attempts. Using published cutoff scores, the Beck Hopelessness Scale and SPS were moderately to highly sensitive predictors of subsequent suicide attempts, as was the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior for predicting suicide attempts and broad suicidality. Alternative cutoff scores that predicted outcomes with moderate and high sensitivity also were examined, with attention to resultant sacrifices in specificity. Baseline self-report scores predicted follow-up suicidality. SPS contributed uniquely to prediction of future suicidality and suicide attempt. SPS may supplement other sources of information when assessing suicide risk with this population.

Internet addiction in Korean adolescents and its relation to depression and suicidal ideation: A questionnaire survey

This study examined the relationship of Internet addiction to depression and suicidal ideation in Korean adolescents. The participants were 1573 high-school students living in a city who completed the self-reported measures of the Internet Addiction Scale, the Korean version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Major Depression Disorder-Simple Questionnaire, and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior. A correlational survey design was employed. Among the samples, 1.6% was diagnosed as Internet addicts, while 38.0% was classified as possible Internet addicts. The prevalence of Internet addiction did not vary with gender. The levels of depression and suicide ideation were highest in the Internet-addicts group. Future studies should investigate the direct relationship between psychological health problems and Internet dependency.

Assessment of Suicidal Ideation in Inner-City Children and Young Adolescents: Reliability and Validity of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-JR

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR; Reynolds, 1987) as an instrument for identifying and assessing current suicidal ideation in a sample of 91 children and adolescents, aged 11 to 15 years who attended an inner-city parochial school. Participants completed the SIQ-JR as part of a screening procedure to identify youngsters who are at-risk for suicidal behavior. Psychometric results showed that the internal consistency reliability coefficient of the SIQ-JR was high, rα=.91, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was.89. Multiple regression results examining criterion-related validity showed that only the suicidal ideation factor of a clinical interview designed to assess suicidality was significantly related to SIQ-JR scores, β=.67, p <.001. The results of this study support the use of the SIQ-JR as a reliable and valid measure for the evaluation of suicidal ideation in children and young adolescents. The results and their implications for school psychologists are discussed.

Acculturative stress, depression, and suicidal ideation among Mexican-American adolescents: implications for the development of suicide prevention programs in schools.

The present study explored the relationship of scores on acculturative stress with those on depression and suicidal ideation among 26 male and 28 female Mexican-American students from a southern California high school. Subjects completed the SAFE acculturative stress scale, the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale, and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior. Analyses suggested that acculturating Mexican-American adolescents who report high scores on acculturative stress may report elevated scores for depression and suicidal ideation. Researchers should assess suicide risk within this and other acculturating groups, and risk factors specific to acculturating groups should be considered in the development and implementation of suicide prevention programs in schools.