Low Self-Esteem and Hopelessness in Childhood and Suicidal Ideation in Early Adulthood

This study examined the longitudinal relationship between family characteristics in early childhood, self-esteem, hopelessness, and thoughts of self-harm in the midchildhood years, and suicidal ideation at ages 18 and 21. Path analyses was used to establish separate models for boys and girls. The results suggested different parthways to later suicidal ideation for boys and girls. The findings provide support for the idea that individual characteristics such as feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem act as “generative mechanisms,” linking early childhood family characteristics to suicidal ideation in early adulthood. (43 refs)