The factors associated with suicidality among Canadian youth: a cross-sectional secondary analysis

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dc.contributor.authorDoctor, Jenessa
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences
dc.contributor.supervisorSanders, James
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-21T21:55:00Z
dc.date.available2025-11-21T21:55:00Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractThe focus of this thesis was to examine the association between vulnerable youth and suicidality. This was done by conducting a secondary analysis on youth aged 15 to 29. A secondary data analysis took place utilizing the Statistics Canada 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey for two separate papers. In the first paper exposure to childhood maltreatment was examined as an exposure variable for the outcome suicidality among the age group 18 to 29. Results indicated that those exposed to childhood maltreatment were more likely to experience suicidality than those not exposed. Additionally, the odds of suicidality increased with the number of maltreatment types experienced, suggesting a potential dose-response relationship. This association showed evidence for being partially mediated by mental health conditions, specifically meeting diagnostic criteria for depression or anxiety. In the second paper, minority status was created as an exposure variable for the outcome suicidality by combining racialized minorities (including Indigenous groups), and sexual identity minorities for the age group 15 to 24. These results showed minorities were more likely to experience suicidality compared to non-minority youth. This association appeared to be partially mediated by childhood maltreatment, which consisted of experiencing any form of maltreatment in the past. Findings from both studies suggest that vulnerable youth are more likely to experience suicidality, placing them at an increased risk for negative health outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of reducing systemic inequalities and developing context specific interventions to support these groups of youth. Policy makers, governments, and the community should aim to use proactive measures for prevention rather than implementing more crisis interventions in the future.
dc.embargoNo
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/7227
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyHealth Sciences
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences)
dc.subjectVulnerable youth
dc.subjectSuicidality
dc.subjectChildhood maltreatment
dc.subjectMinority status
dc.subjectCanadian youth
dc.subjectRisk factors in suicide
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.subject.lcshSuicide--Canada
dc.subject.lcshYouth--Suicidal behavior--Canada
dc.subject.lcshSuicide--Risk factors--Canada
dc.titleThe factors associated with suicidality among Canadian youth: a cross-sectional secondary analysis
dc.typeThesis
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