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HIV and suicide risk across adolescence and young adulthood: an examination of sociodemographic, contextual, and psychosocial risk factors for attempted suicide in a longitudinal cohort of youth affected by HIV

Title
HIV and suicide risk across adolescence and young adulthood: an examination of sociodemographic, contextual, and psychosocial risk factors for attempted suicide in a longitudinal cohort of youth affected by HIV
Presenter
Philip Kreniske
Authors
P. Kreniske * (1), C. Morrison (2), B.H. Spencer (3), A. Levine (4), L. Liotta (2), P.W. Fisher (5), N. Nguyen (6), R.N. Robbins (1), C. Dolezal (1), L. Kluisza (1), A. Wiznia (7), E.J. Abrams (8,9), C.A. Mellins (1)
Institutions
(1) HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, Psychiatry, New York, United States, (2) HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, United States, (3) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Department of Population and Family Health, New York, United States, (4) Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Mental Health Data Science, New York, United States, (5) New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York, United States, (6) The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, United States, (7) Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States, (8) ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, United States, (9) Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, United States

BACKGROUND: Risk for attempting suicide increases dramatically as children become adolescents and young adults (AYA), with chronic health conditions being a risk factor. To date, no studies have examined correlates of suicidality across development in AYA living with perinatal HIV-infection (AYALPHIV) and those perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (AYAPHEU). Findings can inform much-needed interventions to support AYALPHIV and AYAPHEU as they age.
METHODS: Data come from a longitudinal New York City-based study of health and psychosocial functioning in AYALPHIV and AYAPHEU (mean enrollment age = 12 years; current mean age = 27 years) interviewed every 12-18 months. Psychiatric disorders and first-reported suicide attempt were assessed with the DISC. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations between first-reported suicide attempt and sociodemographic, contextual, and psychosocial correlates measured concurrently across 6 time-points.
RESULTS: At enrollment, 51% were female, 72% heterosexual, 57% Black, and 50% Latinx. Attempted suicide was significantly higher among AYALPHIV (27%) than AYAPHEU (16%) (OR = 1.74, p = 0.02). In the full and AYALPHIV samples, sexual minority identity, lower self-concept, negative life events, and past-year arrest were associated with increased odds of attempted suicide. For all groups, past-year anxiety, mood, or behavior disorders were associated with increased odds of attempted suicide. Among AYALPHIV, pregnancy and HIV stigma were associated with increased odds of attempted suicide. Interactions by HIV status and age group were found: substance use was more strongly associated with attempted suicide among AYAPHEU than AYALPHIV, while negative life events and higher religiosity were more strongly associated with increased odds of attempted suicide among AYA ages 19 and older than those 18 and younger.
CONCLUSIONS: Adolescence and young adulthood is a critical period when risk for attempted suicide rises precipitously. As our cohort aged into adulthood sociodemographic, contextual and psychosocial factors placed them at risk for suicidality and only higher self-concept was protective. Unique risks for attempted suicide were evident by PHIV-status with HIV stigma and pregnancy impacting AYALPHIV, and substance use a risk among AYAPHEU. Assessing for suicide risk and correlates with attention to aging can inform preventive interventions tailored to meet AYALPHIV and AYAPHEU needs.