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Restrictive Emotionality, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among High School Students

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Abstract

Depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors are prevalent among youth today. The current study sought to further our understanding of the correlates of depression and suicidality by assessing the relationship between restrictive emotionality (difficulty understanding and expressing emotions) and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescents. A large group of high school students (n = 2189, 58.3% male; 13–18 years of age) completed a self-report survey as part of a 2-stage suicide screening project. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between restrictive emotionality and depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Those reporting high restrictive emotionality were 11 times more likely to have elevated depressive symptom scores, 3 times more likely to report serious suicidal ideation (after controlling for depressive symptoms), and more than twice as likely to report a suicide attempt (after controlling for depressive symptoms) than those reporting low restrictive emotionality. Restrictive emotionality partially mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation and behavior. The pattern of association between restrictive emotionality and the outcome variables was similar for boys and girls. Restrictive emotionality is highly associated with elevated depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among high school students, and may be a useful specific target in prevention and treatment efforts.

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Acknowledgments

The authors report no conflict of interest related to the work. The project was supported by NIMH grant, R01-MH64632 and NIMH grant, T32 MH16434-26.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, 10801, USA

    Colleen M. Jacobson

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Frank Marrocco

  3. New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York, NY, USA

    Frank Marrocco, Marjorie Kleinman & Madelyn S. Gould

  4. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Colleen M. Jacobson

  5. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Madelyn S. Gould

Authors
  1. Colleen M. Jacobson
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  2. Frank Marrocco
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  3. Marjorie Kleinman
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  4. Madelyn S. Gould
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Correspondence to Colleen M. Jacobson.

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Jacobson, C.M., Marrocco, F., Kleinman, M. et al. Restrictive Emotionality, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among High School Students. J Youth Adolescence 40, 656–665 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9573-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9573-y

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