Specific psychological factors associated with suicidal ideation: a transdiagnostic approach to psychological responses in adolescents

BACKGROUND: Suicidal ideation increases the risk of suicidal behavior and death in adolescents, and it is associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Using a multidimensional approach, we investigated some relevant suicidal ideation-correlated variables underlying a general psychopathology factor explaining suicidal ideation in adolescents. METHODS: Through an online survey, we assessed depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms, psychotic experiences, and feelings of defeat/entrapment in a sample of 1,570 adolescents from the general population (M = 15.52; SD = 1.29; female = 47.6%). Using structural equation modeling, we estimated a model of general psychopathology with these variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), CFA bifactor, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and ESEM bifactor models were compared to examine which structure best fit. RESULTS: The ESEM bifactor model showed the best fit (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.03). Furthermore, the general psychopathology factor and specific factors of depression and psychotic experiences were associated with suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of using a multidimensional approach for exploring suicidal ideation in adolescents, which might enable earlier interventions by detecting specific risk factors.