Family and Peer Relationships in a Residential Youth Sample: Exploring Unique, Non-Linear, and Interactive Associations with Depressive Symptoms and Suicide Risk

• DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01524-x
• Publication Date: 2021-10-13T21:35:22Z
• Authors: Alannah Shelby Ri...; Jody Russon; Payne Winston-Lin...; Linda Ruan-Iu; Guy Diamond
• Keywords: Health psychology; Legal psychology

Close relationships are consequential for youth depressive symptoms and suicide risk, but nuanced research examining intersecting factors is needed to improve identification intervention. This study examines a clinical, residential sample of 939 adolescents young adults ages 10 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, interactions with friends were associated in the expected directions, there significant family, peer, demographic variables. However, most associations risk indirect. Associations involving factors, peer symptoms, not always straightforward, should be understood within microsystemic context.