Multiple Pathways From Stress to Suicidality and the Protective Effect of Social Support in Hong Kong Adolescents

Two theoretical models were constructed to illustrate how stress events, family & friends support, depression, substance use, & death attitude mutually influence to create cumulative risks for suicide. The models were evaluated using structural equation modelling. Results show suicidality was strongly predicted by death attitude, depression, & substance use. Within the adolescent’s social environment, stressful events increased suicidality through intensifying depression, substance use, & death acceptance, whereas family & friends support lowered it, partly through reducing stress & death acceptance. (40 refs.)