Miller Adam Bryant, Sheridan Margaret A, Pelletier-Baldelli Andrea, Sirhal Stephanie R, Lu Jialin, Boda Sneha Sai, Ishaque Zakia, Gruhn Meredith, Carolus Amy E, Morgan-López Antonio A, Hennefield Laura, Oppenheimer Caroline W
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
JAACAP Open. 2025 Feb 27;3(3):527-537. doi: 10.1016/j.jaacop.2025.01.006. eCollection 2025 Sep.
Emerging evidence suggests that elementary aged children may experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) at rates higher than previously expected. However, STBs, and developmentally appropriate STB measurement, in children are vastly understudied. We conducted a preliminary study to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of asking about STBs and STB rates in a sample of children enhanced for potential adversity exposure.
To assess lifetime STBs, the Suicidal Ideation QuestionnaireJunior and the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview2 were administered to 98 children 5 to 10 years of age (mean = 7.53, SD = 1.41; 50% female; 52% non-White) and their caregivers (reporting about their child) during an in-home visit. We completed a phone follow-up 1 week later to assess potential iatrogenic effects.
One-week follow-up data showed no concerning iatrogenic effects. A total of 31 caregivers (31%) reported passive suicidal ideation in their children, and 34 children (34%) reported passive suicidal ideation ("wish never born"). Fourteen caregivers (14%) reported active suicidal ideation in their children, and 33 children (33%) reported active suicidal ideation ("want to kill self"). Two caregivers (2%) reported that their child made a suicide plan, and 5 children (5%) reported a suicide plan. One child reported that they had made a suicide attempt.
Findings demonstrate that asking about STBs in families with children 5 to 10 years of age is feasible, generally acceptable, and safe. However, some families may need researchers to help mitigate discomfort relating to STB assessment in young children. STB rates were higher than expected, and highlight the need for continued developmental research on the course of child STBs.
新出现的证据表明，小学年龄段儿童出现自杀念头和行为（STB）的比率可能高于此前预期。然而，儿童中的STB以及适合其发育阶段的STB测量方法研究极为不足。我们开展了一项初步研究，以确定在一个可能面临潜在逆境的儿童样本中询问STB及STB发生率的可行性、可接受性和安全性。
为评估终生STB情况，在一次家访期间，对98名5至10岁儿童（平均年龄 = 7.53，标准差 = 1.41；50%为女性；52%为非白人）及其照顾者（报告其孩子的情况）进行了自杀意念问卷儿童版和自伤想法与行为访谈2的测评。1周后我们进行了电话随访，以评估潜在的医源性影响。
1周随访数据显示不存在令人担忧的医源性影响。共有31名照顾者（31%）报告其孩子有消极自杀意念，34名儿童（34%）报告有消极自杀意念（“希望从未出生”）。14名照顾者（14%）报告其孩子有积极自杀意念，33名儿童（33%）报告有积极自杀意念（“想自杀”）。2名照顾者（2%）报告其孩子制定了自杀计划，5名儿童（5%）报告有自杀计划。1名儿童报告曾有自杀未遂行为。
研究结果表明，询问5至10岁儿童家庭中的STB情况是可行的，总体上是可接受的且安全的。然而，一些家庭可能需要研究人员帮助减轻与幼儿STB评估相关的不适感。STB发生率高于预期，凸显了对儿童STB病程持续开展发育研究的必要性。
