Youth with foster care experience attempt suicide at three times the rate of their peers in the general population. Research suggests that Transition-Age Youth (TAY), youth ages 16 to 24 who are or were in foster care, may be especially at risk for suicidal behavior. Studies of adolescents in the general population show gender, sexual minority status, race and ethnicity, child maltreatment, and behavioral health disorders all play significant roles in affecting adolescent suicidal behaviors. TAY often experience various forms of risk, underscoring the need for additional research and resources that address suicidal behavior in this population. Despite the well-documented risk, we know little about specific characteristics that are associated with suicidal ideation and attempt in this unique population. To address this gap, the current study uses longitudinal data from a cohort of young people transitioning out of foster care to examine the demographic, experiential, and behavioral health characteristics associated with suicidal behavior in early adulthood.
Specifically, Katz et al. (2024) answer the following questions:
- What is the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among TAY between ages 17 and 23?
- What demographic, behavioral health, and maltreatment history characteristics are associated with suicidal ideation and attempts in early adulthood?