A network analysis of social determinants of health and rates of youth suicidal ideation and suicide attempts at the neighborhood-level in Houston, Texas

To identify youth suicide risk factors and possible avenues for intervention, a social-ecological model approach has been encouraged. In considering which youth may think about or attempt suicide, the assessment of social determinants of health (SDOH) appears vital. Utilizing a network analytic approach, this study developed an estimated partial correlation network to examine relationships between youth suicidal ideation/suicide attempts via youth suicide screens (N = 17,018), and SDOH using census tract (N = 608) data indicators of Houston, TX. While most nodes showed connectivity within the network, youth suicidal ideation (M = 19.66, SD = 9.14) and suicide attempt(s) (M = 11.58, SD = 7.53) were disconnected from all nodes, aside from each other (r_partial = 0.54). Youth suicidal ideation and attempt(s) did not produce any strong direct or indirect relationships with SDOH measured at the community level in the partial correlation network.