Family and peer relationships in a residential youth sample: Exploring unique, non-linear, and interactive associations with depressive symptoms and suicide risk
Date
2022Author
Rivers, Alannah Shelby
Russon, Jody
Winston-Lindeboom, Payne
Ruan-lu, Linda
Diamond, Guy
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Close relationships are consequential for youth depressive symptoms and suicide risk, but nuanced research examining
intersecting factors is needed to improve identification and intervention. This study examines a clinical, residential sample of
939 adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 23 years old (M = 15.84, SD = 1.53; 97.7% white, 99.5% non-Hispanic, 55%
female). The final model found that family conflict, parental criticism, verbal bullying, and interactions with friends were
associated with depressive symptoms in the expected directions, and there were significant interactions with family, peer,
and demographic variables. However, most associations with suicide risk were indirect. Associations involving family
factors, peer factors, depressive symptoms, and suicide are not always straightforward, and should be understood within a
microsystemic context.