The Effects of Asthma and Bullying on Suicidal Behaviors Among US Adolescents. (10th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muhammad, Lutfiyya N.; Korte, Jeffrey E.; Bowman, Charles M.; De Santis, Mark L.; Nietert, Paul J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 88:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 762
• Page End: 767
• Publication Date: 2018-09-10
• Subjects: asthma -- bullying -- suicidal ideation -- adolescent -- surveys and questionnaires; School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12680
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Positive associations between suicidal behaviors and asthma have been established in previous adolescent studies. Few studies consider social risk factors, such as bullying. This study involved an analysis of suicidal behaviors and asthma, but also includes an assessment of whether these relationships were modified by the co‐occurrence of bullying. METHODS: Data included 13, 154 participants from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), collected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Logistic regression models were constructed and summarized using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: When comparing adolescents with asthma who were bullied at school to those who were not bullied at school, the odds of contemplating suicide were increased by nearly 2‐fold (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.5‐2.3), and the odds of creating a suicide plan were 2.3 times higher (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.7‐3.1). The odds of a suicide attempt and incurring an injury from a suicide attempt were also substantially increased. Similarly, increased odds of suicidal behaviors were observed for adolescents with asthma who were bullied electronically. CONCLUSION: Having asthma and being bullied are both associated with increased odds of suicidal behaviors.