Peer Connectedness Reduces Risk for Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescent Girls During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

Suicidal ideation (SI) has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among adolescents and young adults (Zhang et al., 2020; Czeisler et al., 2020). Given the dramatic disruptions to adolescents’ social environments due to COVID-19, negative peer experiences may contribute to the increase in adolescent SI during the pandemic. Leading theories of suicide highlight the impact of negative social experiences, such as social disconnection and rejection (Joiner, 2007; Schneidman, 2003), particularly in girls (Bearman & Moody, 2004). While peer rejection (Heilborn & Prinstein, 2010) has been shown to exacerbate SI among youth, social connectedness has been shown to protect against the development of SI (Whitlock et al., 2014). The present study examined whether daily peer experiences continue to confer risk for SI during a period of elevated social isolation resulting from COVID-19. We hypothesized that increased daily peer rejection and decreased peer connectedness would be associated with greater risk of SI during the pandemic.

Ninety-three girls ages 12-17 (M = 15.02, 71% white) were recruited from a larger longitudinal study for a COVID-19 follow-up study during the initial stay-at-home orders in the study’s geographical region (April – May 2020). Participants reported on their daily feelings of peer rejection/exclusion and peer connectedness/closeness during a ten-day daily dairy protocol. Peer rejection and peer connectedness were aggregated across all completed diary assessments (88% compliance). Participants were divided into groups based on SI (no SI, SI) assessed via the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire – Junior Version (SIQ-JR; Reynolds, 1987), which was completed before and after the daily diary protocol. The effects of peer rejection and peer connectedness on SI risk were estimated in separate logistic regression models. Age and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 follow-up were examined in each model as potential covariates.

Approximately 38% of girls reported SI during the COVID-19 follow-up. Peer rejection was not associated with SI, but reduced peer connectedness was associated with increased risk of SI during COVID-19 (β = -.05, p = .000, OR = .96, RR = .97) (Figure 1). Girls reporting a lower sense of connectedness with peers were more likely to think about suicide while undergoing stay-at-home orders. This effect remained significant when age and depressive symptoms were added into the model (β = -.03, p = .019, OR = .97 RR = .98), suggesting that peer connectedness is predictive of SI risk above and beyond the effects of depressive symptoms.

There was a high rate of SI during COVID-19 among adolescent girls in our sample, consistent with other recent reports, which was accounted for by feelings of low peer connectedness but not peer rejection. Disconnectedness may be more salient than overt rejection during this period of minimal peer interaction. Further, disconnectedness may exacerbate feelings of isolation and not belonging, both well-established interpersonal mechanisms for suicidality. Importantly, decreased connectedness with peers may discourage seeking critical support among youth with SI during this challenging time. Increasing peer connectedness while social distancing measures are still in place may be an important prevention/intervention strategy to reduce risk for SI among adolescents.

Authors

• Emily Anne Hutchinson, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author

• Stefanie Sequeira, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author

• Cecile D Ladouceur, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author

• Lori Scott, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  Non-Presenting Author

• Caroline Oppenheimer
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jennifer S. Silk, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author