Factors Associated with Suicidal Thought and Help-Seeking Behaviour in Transition-Aged Youth versus Adults/Facteurs associés à l'idéation suicidaire et comportement de recherche d'aide chez les jeunes en transition à l'âge adulte par opposition aux adultes

• Published in: Canadian journal of psychiatry 2016-12, Vol.61 (12), p.789
• Main Authors: MacKinnon, Nathalie, Colman, Ian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Psychiatry; Risk factors; Self destructive behavior; Studies; Suicides & suicide attempts
• ISSN: 0706-7437; 1497-0015
• DOI: 10.1177/0706743716667417

Suicide is a leading cause of death for transition-aged youth (TAY), and yet few studies examine correlates of suicidal ideation specifically in this age demographic (age 18-24 years). The transition to adulthood is a unique context, marked by novel stressors (e.g., joining the workforce) and increased independence, which may influence risk factors for suicidal ideation. This study examined correlates of suicidal ideation in TAY and adults and contrasted profiles across age. We used 4 biannual cycles (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011) of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey on health. We used logistic regression to assess the association between suicidal ideation and depression, distress, alcohol use, smoking, exercise, sedentary behaviour, chronic illness, restrictions to daily living, perceived physical and mental health, and perceived social support independently in both TAY (n = 4427) and adults (n = 14,452). We subsequently assessed possible interactions with age (18-24 v. 25-44 years) and sex and differences in help-seeking behaviour in a combined model. TAY exhibited higher rates of suicidal ideation than adults did (P < 0.001). Numerous factors were associated with suicidal ideation in TAY. Notably, alcohol abstinence was associated with decreased suicidal ideation in TAY but not for adults. Moreover, when depressed, TAY were significantly less likely to have received professional mental health help than adults (odds ratio = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.94). Suicidal ideation is more prevalent in TAY than adults, and its consequences may be aggravated by poor treatment-seeking behaviour in at-risk (i.e. depressed) individuals. These different risk profiles substantiate the recent shift toward clinical interventions focusing on transition-aged youth, rather than traditional child (18 years) services.