Interpersonal needs in relation to depression and suicidal ideation in early adolescents: the moderating roles of ADHD and sex

Authors

Stephen P. Becker, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address: stephen.becker@cchmc.org.
Melissa C. Miller, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Eric S. Crosby, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Melissa R. Dvorsky, Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-9-2025

Journal

Journal of affective disorders

Volume

393

Issue

Pt A

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2025.120227

Keywords

Adolescence; Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Interpersonal model of suicide; Sex differences; Suicide

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is marked by significant developmental changes and an increased risk for depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of interpersonal needs (i.e., thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness) on depressive symptom severity and suicidal ideation in early adolescents, with a focus on the moderating effects of sex and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) status. METHODS: Participants were 341 early adolescents (ages 10-12; 52.2 % female, 47.8 % male), approximately half of whom met diagnostic criteria for ADHD (48.7 %; n = 166). ADHD was established using a semi-structured diagnostic interview administered to caregivers, and adolescents completed ratings of depression and interpersonal needs and were administered an interview assessing history of suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Results indicated that higher levels of thwarted belongingness were associated with depressive symptom severity and suicidal ideation, particularly among females with ADHD compared to females without ADHD or males with or without ADHD. Perceived burdensomeness also predicted depressive symptom severity and suicidal ideation, though its interaction with sex and ADHD was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of addressing interpersonal needs in early adolescents, especially for females with ADHD, to mitigate the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.

APA Citation

Becker, Stephen P.; Miller, Melissa C.; Crosby, Eric S.; and Dvorsky, Melissa R., "Interpersonal needs in relation to depression and suicidal ideation in early adolescents: the moderating roles of ADHD and sex" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7971.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7971

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences