PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP CHARACTERISTICS AND PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS AS PREDICTORS OF PASSIVE SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG A DIVERSE SAMPLE OF ADOLESCENTS IN OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT

Adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD) often have maladaptive coping skills and are at higher risk for negative outcomes, such as suicidal ideation (SI). This may be due to high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders among those diagnosed with a SUD. SI is not only a sign of severe psychological distress but may also reduce successful completion of drug or alcohol treatment. Understanding what factors may influence SI in adolescents with SUDs allows for more tailored, effective treatment. This secondary analysis uses data from a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 396 adolescents receiving outpatient substance use treatment in two facilities in South Florida. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses including gender, total internalizing psychiatric symptoms, total externalizing psychiatric symptoms, total drug abuse symptoms, total alcohol abuse symptoms, negative parent relations, and positive parent relations revealed that internalizing psychiatric symptoms, gender, and alcohol abuse were all associated with higher mean SI scores and were the most influential variables when predicting SI. A post-hoc analysis revealed higher mean SI scores among females and no significant differences in SI scores based on race. Females also had higher internalizing and alcohol abuse scores. Overall, the results suggest that females entering substance abuse treatment may have higher levels of distress than their male peers and require more careful screening. Additionally, tailored treatment for those with internalizing disorders or alcohol abuse may lead to better overall treatment outcomes.