Victimization by peers and adolescent suicide in three US samples.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between victimization by peers and suicidal ideation and behavior in 3 samples of adolescents in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN: This study was a secondary analysis of data from 3 cohorts of adolescents: (1) a nationally representative survey of adolescents in grade 7 through 12, Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, conducted by the Carolina Population Center in 1994-1995; (2) a nationally representative survey, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005; and (3) a survey in a high-risk community conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004.

RESULTS: Controlling for differences in age, sex, race/ethnicity, and depressive symptomology, adolescents reporting more frequent victimization by peers were more likely to report suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. Adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-2.15) to 3.83 (95% CI = 2.78-5.27) for the different outcome measures and data sets.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide further support for the need for effective prevention of peer victimization. Inclusion of questions about victimization experiences might aid formal and informal suicide screening efforts.