Vulnerability to Friends’ Suicide Influence: The Moderating Effects of Gender and Adolescent Depression

The objective of this study was to determine whether severity of depression reduces or intensifies the relationship between the suicide attempt of friends & an adolescent’s own attempt to die by suicide. Data was analysed using logistic regression & data from a nationally representative sample of adolescent depression. Results show highly depressed adolescents are less likely to attempt suicide when friends attempt suicide, particularly in boys. Adolescents should be equipped with tools to help deal with the suicide attempt or suicide of a friend. (40 refs.)