A new Georgia State University study shows that youth who begin drinking before the age of 13 are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior compared to non-drinkers.
Research shows that alcohol and drug education classes have reduced the reporting of suicide attempts. Other factors like friends’ disapproval, familial environment, and mental health also play a role in attempt reduction.
“There are a lot of resources being spent on drug and alcohol abuse education, and while we can’t test the impact of that per se, it was interesting to note that adolescents who received the education were less likely to attempt suicide,” said Monica Swahn, who conducted the study.
Swahn is associate dean for research in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Others who facilitated the study are Jeffrey Ashby and Joel Meyers, professors of counseling and psychological services, and Robert M. Bossarte, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester.
The data for the study came from a survey of 150,000 Georgia students in 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. The study shows that about 15% of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported that they began drinking before the age of 13.
Gender differences also became factors when researchers examined the reduced likelihood of suicide attempts. Friends’ disapproval of drinking was much more effective in reducing use for girls, while adult disapproval was much more effective in reducing use for boys. On the other hand, friends’ disapproval of drinking for boys was ineffective, and adult disapproval of drinking for girls was also ineffective.
The exact reasons for why suicidal behavior exists in preteens who drink alcohol remains unknown to researchers, but fundamental factors may exist, said Swahn.
“The kids who start drinking early probably have problems in other parts of their lives, such as family dysfunction, mental health and anxiety, with family environment being the biggest driver,” she said.
This study, as well as future research, will help aid educators in addressing the problem of youth alcohol abuse.
“We want to see if there is something we can do to break that path toward other adverse health outcomes,” Swahn said. “Norms and attitudes are something that we can shift, in a way that maybe family dysfunction and other things are going to be much harder to do.”
Study finds preteens who drink are at risk of suicidal behavior
Published: Monday, February 8, 2010
Updated: Monday, February 8, 2010 16:02
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