Over the decade prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, data showed an uptick in suicidal behaviors among adolescents and children. However, a recent study concentrating on data from New Jersey argues that this perceived increase may partially stem from modifications in the methods used by healthcare providers to screen for and document instances of suicidal thinking. The study underscores that although the rate of hospital visits related to suicide saw an overall increase, the actual instances of self-harm or suicide attempts remained largely stable. What increased considerably were diagnoses related to suicidal thoughts, in line with revised screening guidelines introduced in 2011 and new diagnostic coding rules established in 2016.
Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, data spanning the previous decade pointed to an alarming surge in suicidal behaviors among young individuals, raising concerns about a looming mental health crisis within this demographic. A fresh examination of New Jersey’s data indicates that this observed increase might be partially due to alterations in how medical professionals identify and document suicidal thoughts among young people.
Adriana Corredor-Waldron, the co-author of this recent study and an assistant professor of economics at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management, stated, “The impetus for conducting this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the reported escalation in suicidal behaviors in youth.”
Corredor-Waldron continued, “We are indeed concerned about a mental health crisis in children, and the high rate of behaviors related to suicide. Nonetheless, our study focusing on New Jersey revealed little change in the rate of hospital visits due to self-harm and suicide attempts over the 12-year period we examined. What we did observe was a marked increase in diagnoses of suicidal ideation, which was closely tied to changes in healthcare providers’ screening and reporting practices.”
The researcher further emphasized the necessity of delving into the particulars behind reported health trends, stating, “This steep upward trajectory in reported suicidal behaviors could well be an indication that we are becoming more proficient at identifying those young people who are in need of treatment, which would actually be a positive development.”
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Alterations in Diagnostic and Screening Procedures
For the purpose of the study, the research team analyzed data related to all hospital visits for children between the ages of 10 and 18 in New Jersey, spanning from 2008 to 2019.
Examining all hospital visits connected to suicide, the researchers noticed an upward trajectory over the 12-year timeframe. However, this trend was almost solely attributed to a rise in diagnoses of suicidal thoughts. Two pivotal factors were identified that correlated with this rise: a revision in screening guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2011, and amendments to the diagnostic coding of suicidal ideation that took effect in late 2016.
The 2011 screening guidelines urged healthcare providers to annually screen females aged 12 and above for depression. The term “coding” pertains to the standardized framework employed by healthcare providers for recording patient diagnoses, which in turn can be analyzed to spot healthcare trends. New coding rules enacted in 2016 mandated that healthcare providers include a diagnostic code for suicidal thoughts when noted as a symptom in a patient, even if the primary diagnosis was a mood disorder.
“For instance, before 2016, if a patient exhibited suicidal thoughts and was diagnosed with depression, the healthcare provider would likely have recorded only the diagnostic code for depression,” stated Corredor-Waldron. “Post-2016, diagnostic codes for both depression and suicidal thoughts would be entered.”
Considerations for Future Research
The research noted a significant escalation in the reporting of suicidal thoughts subsequent to the enforcement of the 2011 screening guidelines. An even more striking upsurge in such reporting occurred following the introduction of the new coding regulations in 2016.
“It is crucial to recognize that this data is specific to one state, and conditions may vary from state to state,” Corredor-Waldron cautioned. “Furthermore, we lack comprehensive data for the period encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic, and it would be instructive to assess how the landscape might have evolved in recent years.”
Reference: “To What Extent are Trends in Teen Mental Health Influenced by Variations in Reporting? – The Case of Suicide-Related Hospital Visits” by Adriana Corredor-Waldron and Janet Currie, published on 6 September 2023 in the Journal of Human Resources.
DOI: 10.3368/jhr.0423-12854R1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Suicidal Behaviors in Teens
What is the primary focus of the article?
The article primarily examines whether the reported increase in suicidal behaviors among teenagers is reflective of an actual uptick or if it is influenced by changes in healthcare screening and reporting methods. The study is based on data from New Jersey and spans from 2008 to 2019.
Is there a real increase in suicidal behaviors among teens according to the study?
The study indicates that while there has been a reported increase in hospital visits related to suicidal behaviors among teens, the actual rate of self-harm and suicide attempts has remained relatively stable. The rise is mostly in diagnoses of suicidal thoughts.
What factors may have influenced the increase in reported suicidal ideation?
The study identifies two main factors that could have contributed to the increase in reported suicidal ideation: revised screening guidelines introduced in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and new diagnostic coding regulations that came into effect in 2016.
Who conducted the study and what was the methodology?
The study was co-authored by Adriana Corredor-Waldron, an assistant professor of economics at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management. The researchers analyzed data on all hospital visits by children aged 10-18 in New Jersey from 2008 through 2019.
Is the data applicable to other states or regions?
The study specifically warns that the data is particular to New Jersey and conditions may vary from state to state. Therefore, the findings may not be universally applicable.
What are the implications of the study?
The study underscores the importance of considering changes in healthcare screening and reporting practices when interpreting trends in mental health statistics. The observed increase in suicidal behaviors could actually indicate improved identification of at-risk individuals rather than a worsening mental health crisis among teens.
Is there data related to the COVID-19 pandemic period?
The study does not include data from the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. It concludes that it would be instructive to assess how trends might have changed during these recent years.
What are the recommendations for future research?
The study emphasizes the need for further research that includes data from other states and the COVID-19 pandemic period to provide a more comprehensive view of trends in suicidal behaviors among teens.
More about Suicidal Behaviors in Teens
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Screening Guidelines
- Journal of Human Resources
- North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management
- CDC on Suicide Prevention
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5)
- World Health Organization on Mental Health
- Adolescent Mental Health Studies
8 comments
so it’s like we’re not necessarily seeing more suicidal behavior but were just getting better at noticing it? Thats a bit of relief but also concerning.
This underscores how stats can be misleading. Really need to dig deep to understand whats really goin on.
Glad they’re making the point that the data is specific to New Jersey. Can’t just apply this to every state or country.
This is eye-opening. Who knew that codes and guidelines could make such a big difference in how we perceive a mental health crisis?
Loved the depth of the research. Hope there’s a follow-up that includes COVID times, cause things have definitely changed.
Important stuff but let’s not forget, whether its better reporting or an actual increase, either way, kids are still in trouble. We gotta do something.
A well-conducted study. Makes u think twice before jumping to conclusions based on initial numbers.
Interesting findings! Makes ya wonder how much of the data we see is impacted by changes in reporting rather than actual trends.