Feelings of inferiority and suicide ideation and suicide attempt among youth.

AIM

To determine the association between feelings of inferiority and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among youth in the United States.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey carried out among a representative sample of the 15-54 year old population (n=8,098) in the United States. The subsample analyzed in this study included 1,456 respondents aged 15-19. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between feelings of inferiority and the likelihood of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among youth them.

RESULTS

Among the youth, 4.2% described themselves as having feelings of inferiority. Feelings of inferiority were associated with a significantly increased odds of suicidal ideation (odds ratio (OR)=3.2; 95% confidence interval (95%CI)=1.8-5.7) and suicide attempt (OR=2.2; 95%CI=1.0-4.8), which persisted after adjusting for differences in socio-demographic characteristics and comorbid mental disorders among youth in the community. There was evidence of interaction between feelings of inferiority and major depression in the likelihood of suicide attempt.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary evidence suggests that feelings of inferiority are associated with a significantly increased likelihood of suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior among youth in the community. Intervention and prevention strategies aimed at identifying and intervening with youth at risk may benefit from the assessment of feelings of inferiority.