Suicide Risk in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2022
Identifier
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-053486
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created high levels of psychological distress and may have increased suicide risk.
METHODS: We used the 4-item Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) to assess suicide risk among all patients 12 to 24 years of age at a children's hospital. We compared demographics, encounter type (telehealth or face-to-face [F2F]), and screening results from April to June 2020 (T2) to those from April to June 2019 (T1).
RESULTS: Fewer patients were seen at T2 than T1 (17 986 vs 24 863). A greater proportion of visits at T2 were by telehealth (0% vs 43%). The rate of positive suicide screens was higher in T2 than in T1 (12.2% vs 11.1%, adjusted odds ration [aOR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.35). The odds of a positive screen were greater for older patients (aOR of 1.12 for age in years; 95% CI, 1.10-1.14), female patients (aOR, 2.23; 95% CI, 2.00-2.48), patients with public versus private insurance (aOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.72-2.07), and lower for Black versus White patients (aOR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.95). Rates of positive screens were highest among inpatients (20.0%), intermediate for emergency department patients (14.4%), and lowest in outpatient clinics (9.9%) (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Rates of positive suicide risk screens among adolescents rose in the pandemic's early months with differences related to sociodemographics and visit type. Changes in health care delivery highlight the complexities of assessing and responding to mental health needs of adolescents. Additional research might determine the effects of screening methods and patient populations on screening results.
Journal Title
Pediatrics
Volume
149
Issue
2
MeSH Keywords
Adolescent; Age Factors; Blacks; COVID-19; Female; Hospitals, Pediatric; Humans; Insurance, Health; Male; Missouri; Pandemics; Risk Assessment; Sex Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Whites
Keywords
Age Factors; Blacks; COVID-19; Pediatric Hospitals; Health Insurance; Missouri; Pandemics; Risk Assessment; Sex Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Whites
Recommended Citation
Lantos JD, Yeh HW, Raza F, Connelly M, Goggin K, Sullivant SA. Suicide Risk in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pediatrics. 2022;149(2):e2021053486. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-053486
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