Conner | Houston | Bossarte | Wyman | Tu | Hesselbrock

In this study, Principal Investigator Kenneth Conner of the University of Rochester investigated variables that decrease risk for suicide attempts in young people ages 12 to 25. Three types of variables that decrease risk will be examined: 1) “promotive” factors that decrease risk directly, that is they show a direct, inverse relationship to substance abuse; 2) “protective” factors that serve as a buffer against risk by moderating (lowering) the potency of risk factors; 3) variables that are both promotive and protective. Informed by a social connectedness framework, Dr. Conner and colleagues focused on promotive and protective effects of connectedness to peers, school, parents, and family. In addition, they examined promotive and protective effects of social capital, a measure of the connectedness within a community. Finally, the investigation included whether or not the promotive and/or protective effects of connectedness to parents, etc. assessed during adolescence endure into emerging adulthood. The project was conducted by an experienced multi-disciplinary research team which included Dr. Rebecca Houston of RIA; Drs. Robert Bossarte, Peter Wyman and Xin Tu of the University of Rochester Medical School; and Dr. Victor Hesselbrock of the University of Connecticut Health Center. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Dr. Conner with a subaward to Dr. Houston from the University of Rochester, 2010-2013.