Substance Use and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents

A Comparative Analysis of Clinical and Psychosocial Risk Factors

Bibliographic Data

ID15715732
AuthorsMustafa Tolga Tunagur (0000-0002-8418-4745, Sakarya University, corresponding author), Elif Merve Kurt Tunagur (0000-0002-7883-4190, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi)
Year2026
Volume13
Issue2
Pages186-186
Publication date2026-01-29
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children13020186
PMID41749541
OpenAlexW7126096009
LanguageEN
References cited40

Background/Objectives : This study aimed to compare clinical and psychosocial characteristics of substance-using adolescents in Türkiye with and without a history of suicide attempts to identify distinguishing risk factors. Methods : A retrospective analysis was conducted using medical records from 140 adolescents (aged 13-18) treated at a specialized Child and Adolescent Substance Use Center in Türkiye between March 2023 and February 2025. Sociodemographic, clinical, and substance use data were collected. Group comparisons were performed using chi-square and t -tests. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of suicide attempt history. Results : Among the sample, 52 adolescents (37.1%) had a history of suicide attempts. Compared to their counterparts, the substance-using adolescents were more likely to be female (73.1%) and have histories of psychiatric hospitalization, institutional care, criminal behavior, and polysubstance use ( p p Conclusions : Adolescents with a history of suicide attempts exhibit more severe substance use, particularly involving cannabinoids, and greater psychosocial adversity. This distinct risk profile underscores the need for early, gender-sensitive, and multidimensional interventions

Addiction · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Poison control · Polysubstance dependence · Psychosocial · Substance abuse · Suicide attempt · Suicide prevention · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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Open DOIOpen Access