The prevalence and potential risk factors of suicidal ideation in 8-year-olds in the JOnG! study

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to be one of the first studies to investigate the prevalence and potential risk factors of suicidal ideation in a relatively large sample of 8-year-old children specifically. To do this, we used the 6-year-olds cohort of the JOnG! study, consistent of 1,350 primary caregivers, at the timepoint that the children were 8 years old. In total, 12.1% of the primary caregivers indicated that their child had said that he or she would rather be dead or that they had noticed that their child thought it would be better if he or she would be dead. The average age on which this suicidal ideation was reported, was 7 to 8 years old. The youngest child was 3 years old. Slightly more primary caregivers indicated that their child had said or thought it multiple times (58.9%) in comparison to only once (41.1%). Results showed that a psychiatric diagnosis and specifically an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and an autism spectrum disorder, higher levels of impulsivity and aggression, an increase of the family income, a lower level of the parental scales rules and positive parental behavior and a higher level of the parental scales harsh punishment and parental psychological control are potential risk factors for the development of suicidal ideation. Independent samples t-test analyses also identified multiple stressful life events as a potential risk factor. In the future, a longitudinal study should be executed so we can appoint these potential risk factors as being present prior to the development of suicidal ideation.

Date of Award	Jun 2019
Original language	English
Supervisor	Imke Baetens (Promotor) & Karla Van Leeuwen (Co-promotor)