Exploration of the Predictors of Adolescent Suicidal Ideation Based on Routine Activities and Lifestyle

Abstract

Adolescence can be an extremely volatile time for high school students. Heightened emotions and unexplained mood swings are not uncommon as young people are maneuvering developmental milestones (Harrington 2001). Youth are trying to gain more autonomy from parents or authority figures. They are investing in belief systems, such as religion, politics and other causes. In addition, adolescents may pursue a romantic interest, all the while determining what they find attractive and unattractive. These developmental milestones can be a challenging encounter, as adolescents do not have fully formed brains; therefore, decisions are often made on impulse and are emotionally driven rather than consideration of logic and consequences (Dawes et al. 2008). Youth may experience events that can be extremely devastating and are unsure how to end the pain that is felt. As a result, suicidal ideations may seem an appropriate coping strategy to handle stressful emotions (Shain 2007). Although not all ideations of suicide materialize into a successful attempt, they are not unusual. Nock et al. (2013) found in an epidemiological study that approximately 66% of adolescent suicide ideations did not transform into an actual plan or attempt, and almost 40% of adolescents who formed a suicide plan did not actually make an attempt. However, these ideations can also have very real and devastating results. There is evidence that multiple factors can influence suicidal ideation in adolescents, in addition to the struggles associated with development. Studies have found that substance abuse (Daniel et al. 2013; Goldston et al. 2009; Pompili et al. 2012; Spirito et al., 2006), mental illness (Schwartz-Stav, Apter, and Zalsman 2006; Wasserman et al. 2012), and past aggressive behaviors (Links, Gould, and Ratnayake 2003; McGirr et al. 2008; O’Donnell, Stueve, and Wilson-Simmons 2005) have been linked to suicidal ideation and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to further investigate predictive factors of suicidal ideation by American adolescents by applying a criminological theoretical basis: Routine Activities Theory. Currently, there is a gap in the literature applying this particular theory to better understand suicidal behaviors. Using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered in 2011, 2013, and 2015, this study will analyze responses provided by high school age students from the survey (16 years and older). While this is an exploratory study, the hope is that the results will allow educators and social service providers to format therapies and programs to prevent suicidal ideation in adolescents. If warning signs of ideation can be detected and addressed, suicidal attempts (and successes) will be more likely to decrease.