Predictors of suicide ideation, depression, and hopelessness in high school and college students

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15 and 24. In an attempt to understand the etiology of adolescent suicide, some research has examined the predictors of suicide ideation in this age group. The diathesis-stress-hopelessness model has been used in studies of suicide ideation in samples of high school and college students. This model states that the occurrence of life stress, in combination with perceptions of ineffective problem-solving, places an individual at risk for feelings of hopelessness, which can result in suicide ideation (Schotte & Clum, 1982, 1987).; The present study was designed to evaluate and extend the diathesis-stress-hopelessness model of adolescent suicide ideation. Specifically, the interaction between life stress and problem-solving ability, broadly defined, was tested as a predictor of hopelessness. In addition, other potential interactions involving life stress were tested as predictors of hopelessness, for example, life stress x perceived social support, and life stress x avoidant coping. The analyses also examined the mediating role of depression versus hopelessness in the prediction of suicide ideation.; Two-hundred and ninety-three high school students (grades 9--12) completed questionnaires in October, 1996 and again in March, 1997. These same questionnaires were completed by 160 college students in February, 1997 and again in May, 1997. The questionnaires assessed suicide ideation, hopelessness, depression, negative life events, coping strategies, and perceived social support.; The results provided weak support for the diathesis-stress-hopelessness model of suicide ideation. Although hopelessness was a significant predictor of suicide ideation, depression served as a more powerful predictor. Moreover, the interaction between life stress and problem-solving ability (task-focused coping) was not a significant predictor. Regression analyses did show that emotion-focused coping was a significant positive predictor of suicide ideation for both samples at both testing sessions. For both samples, and at both testing sessions, exploratory path analyses were conducted to examine the possible antecedents and mediators of suicide ideation. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory and future research on adolescent suicide ideation.