Using data provided by a national sample of youth studied at two points in time (N = 4,221), this study assesses the independent and interactive effects of emotional distress and delinquency involvement on suicidal gestures (i.e., ideation and attempt), and gender differences in these interrelationships. Logistic regression analyses produced results generally consistent with the hypothesized relationships: (a) Experience of emotional distress predicts subsequent suicidal ideation or attempt while controlling for initial suicidal attempt and other common antecedent variables; (b) delinquency involvement also predicts suicidal gestures among girls. For boys, however, these effects are in the same direction but not statistically significant; (c) furthermore, adolescent girls who experience emotional distress but are simultaneously antisocial or delinquent are less suicidal than those who experience distress but are conforming to social rules. For boys, the effects are much weaker and not statistically significant. These findings are discussed in light of theoretical importance and policy implications.
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