Exploring the relationship between connectedness and suicidality among adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 10 – 24 and a major public health concern. Factors such as mental illness, drug use, and history of victimization, greatly impact the likelihood of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Juvenile justice involved adolescents have been shown to experience heightened levels of these factors. This literature review examined rates of suicide within the general and juvenile justice populations, outlined methods of measuring suicide risk, and discussed the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior. Current research on the link between interpersonal and suicide attempts was also examined, and a rationale for investigating the link between interpersonal connectedness and adolescent suicide among court-involved, non-incarcerated youth.