Longitudinal trajectories of suicidal ideation among child welfare-involved 7- to 12-year-old children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Young children involved in the child welfare system (CWS) are at high risk for suicidal ideation (SI) at a time when overall rates of suicide death in this age group are rising. Yet risk factors for and changes in SI over time are poorly understood in this population.

Method

We combined data from two large representative longitudinal studies of children involved in the United States CWS. We examined patterns of SI among children who were between ages 7 and 12 years at the initial survey wave (N = 2,186), assessed at three waves using a measure of SI in the past 2 weeks. We conducted a multinomial regression to understand the baseline demographic, child maltreatment, and mental health characteristics that distinguish the trajectories.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Ayer L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12186300 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature