Year: 2015 Source: Journal of Adolescent Health.(2015).57(1):52Ð59. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.03.001 SIEC No: 20150250

This is the first known prospective study of child suicidal behavior in sub-Saharan Africa. Aims were to determine whether (1) cumulative exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predicts later suicidality and (2) heightened risks are mediated by mental health disorder and drug/alcohol misuse. Longitudinal repeated interviews were conducted 1 year apart (97% retention) with 3,515 adolescents aged 10Ð18 years in South Africa (56% female; <2.5% refusal). Measures included past-month suicide attempts, planning, and ideation, mental health disorders, drug/alcohol use, and ACE, for example, parental death by AIDS or homicide, abuse, and exposure to community violence.