How social conditions and COVID-19 affected suicide risk in young people
Impacts of Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 Pandemic Factors on Suicide Risk among Youth
This project looks at how things like housing, school, healthcare access, and pandemic stress relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Appalachian State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boone, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140962 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how suicide risk among children and teens changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers will combine real-time crisis response records with information about social determinants of health — such as housing, education, income, and access to care — to track risk patterns over time. They will examine whether trends differ by age, race/ethnicity, and place, including Appalachian communities and areas with high COVID burden. Statistical models will test whether social and pandemic-related factors increase or buffer suicide risk and whether they explain differences between groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents, especially those living in Appalachian or other high-COVID-burden areas or those with a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors or pandemic-related stressors, are the primary population this work focuses on.
Not a fit: Adults and people without ties to youth populations or those seeking immediate crisis care are unlikely to directly benefit from this research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help target prevention and support to the young people and communities most at risk during and after public health crises.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown rising suicidal behaviors among youth during the pandemic and links with social disadvantage, but using real-time crisis data within a social determinants framework is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Boone, United States
- Appalachian State University — Boone, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thompson, Martie P — Appalachian State University
- Study coordinator: Thompson, Martie P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.