A joint study by the University of Haifa and the Schneider Center for Pediatrics reveals that hyperactivity symptoms are associated with a significant increase in the risk of suicidal behaviors among children aged 7-12
A new study conducted at the University of Haifa in collaboration with the Schneider Pediatrics Center of the Klalit Group and published in the journal European Journal of Research in Health, Psychology and Education Find alarming data on the relationship between hyperactivity symptoms and risk of suicide attempt among children. The results of the study conducted among children aged 7-12 who came to the emergency medicine department at the Schneider Pediatric Center for a psychiatric evaluation for suicidal risk show that 47.9% of the children reported suicidal thinking, 31% reported a suicidal attempt and 38% reported self-harm without suicidal intent. "Hyperactivity has not only a behavioral effect but also an emotional one. The children sometimes experience a feeling of rejection, difficulties at school and at home, which may lead to a feeling of loneliness and frustration that increase the risk of suicide," said Oren Shahnovsky, a doctoral student fromThe Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa, from the authors of the study.
Doubling the rates of suicidal behavior in children
In recent years, there has been an increase of about 200% in the rates of suicidal behavior among children worldwide. Many factors have been attributed to this risky behavior, and one of those factors is poor emotional regulation and impulsivity. According to the researchers, impulsivity, along with hyperactivity, is one of the characteristics of ADHD, and therefore children with this disorder may be at increased risk of suicidal behavior. While most of the studies conducted so far have focused on teenagers, in the current study jointly with the Laboratory for Research on Suicidality led by Dr. Shira Barzilai From the Department of Community Mental Health at the University of Haifa, Prof. Alan After and the Mental Health Unit at the Schneider Pediatric Center under the direction of Dr. Noa Ben Aroya-Milstein, the researchers asked to focus on children aged 7-12 and examine the relationship between symptoms of ADHD and suicide. 72 children who were referred to the emergency medicine department at the Schneider Pediatric Center for suicidal thoughts and behaviors participated in the study. The children and their parents filled out questionnaires to assess indicators of suicidality, as well as ADHD symptoms.
The relationship between ADHD and suicidality
The results of the study show that there is a clear relationship between ADHD symptoms - in particular hyperactivity and inattention, to suicidal attempts among children under the age of 12. As for the question of which of the symptoms is more influential, hyperactivity or inattention, it was found that hyperactivity has the higher statistical relationship, which indicates for her contribution to increasing the suicidal risk. The study also shows that the child's report is to a greater extent related to suicidality compared to the parent's report, which emphasizes the need to treat the child's point of view as a reliable source of the symptoms he suffers from.
There are no gender differences
The results of the study even found that there are no significant gender differences in the rate of reports, unlike teenagers for whom the frequency of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is higher among girls. The researchers' conclusions were that hyperactivity symptoms affect many areas of children's lives. Besides an increased tendency to dangerous behaviors, including suicidal behavior, some children experience significant difficulties in studies, social connections and relationships with their family, which may lead to a cycle of a sense of failure and the worsening of emotional problems. The findings in the study point to the need for appropriate assessment and intervention for ADHD symptoms and in particular hyperactivity as part of assessment and treatment to prevent suicidal risk.
Dr. Noa Ben-Aroya Milstein and Dr. Shira Barzilai concluded, "Today we understand that when symptoms are noticed early and appropriate treatment is provided, much suffering can be prevented and even lives can be saved. It is important to listen to the children, identify the needs in time, and give the parents and the educational staff tools to deal with the attention disorder and hyperactivity, thus leading to an improvement in the mental state of the children and families. It must be remembered that alongside the risks of the disorder there are also benefits such as creativity, imagination, boldness and the ability to work intensively. A holistic approach will make it possible on the one hand to strengthen the special abilities and on the other hand to recognize the difficulties and dangers, all of this in order to bring about normal development and a good life."
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