Examining Pathways Among Teen Dating Violence,Substance Use,and Suicidal Ideation Among Black Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Black adolescent girls report disproportionately high rates of teen dating violence (TDV; 11% nationally), which research has found to be associated with substance use and poor mental health outcomes such as suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms linking TDV to substance use remain underexplored, particularly in this population. This study investigates whether suicidal ideation is in the pathway between TDV and substance use among Black girls in the United States. Data were analyzed from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, focusing on Black female adolescents (weighted n = 987). Path analysis was conducted to assess direct and indirect effects, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated for both direct and indirect pathways. Suicidal ideation was significant in the indirect pathway between TDV and substance use. The direct pathway between TDV and substance use was not statistically significant (OR: 2.17, 95% CI [0.68, 6.91]). However, experiencing TDV significantly increased the odds of suicidal ideation (OR: 5.54 [2.62, 11.72]), which, in turn, significantly increased the odds of substance use (OR: 7.31 [3.54, 15.08]). These findings highlight the critical role of suicidal ideation in linking TDV and substance use among Black adolescent girls, underscoring the need for targeted interventions addressing mental health to mitigate the impact of TDV. Public health initiatives should prioritize identifying and addressing risk factors for substance use and mental health challenges in this vulnerable population.