Adolescent Depression and Suicide Risk: Association with sex and Drug Behavior

16 patterns of combined sex & drug use behaviors were obtained using cluster analystis of responses to Wave 1 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Compared to youth who abstain from risk behaviours, involvements in any drinking, smoking, &/or sexual activity was associated with significantly increased odds of depression, suicide ideation, & suicide attempts. Odds ratios were highest among youth who engaged in illegal drug use. There were few differences between boys & girls who abstain from sex & drug behaviours. Girls were less likely than boys to engage in high-risk behaviours, but those who did tended to be more vulnerable to depression, suicide ideation, & suicide attempt. (48 refs.) JA