Depressive symptoms and age of alcohol use onset interact to predict suicidal ideation

Abstract

Distal risk factors of alcohol use may increase suicidal ideation in the presence of proximal risk factors, such as depressive symptoms. We tested whether depressive symptoms and age at onset of alcohol use interact to predict suicidal ideation in 500 individuals (67% men; 68% Black/African American) under criminal justice supervision. Regression analysis revealed that age of onset negatively associated with suicidal ideation only at average and high levels of depressive symptoms while controlling for suicide attempt history. Clinicians may consider individuals with an early age of onset of alcohol use and current depressive symptoms at risk for suicidal ideation.

Disclosure statement

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding sources. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Please note that this work was supported, in part, by grants R01CA14166305 (National Cancer Institute), R34DA043346-01A1 (National Institute on Drug Abuse), and R01DA039678-01A1 (National Institute on Drug Abuse).