DOI: 10.1007/s10560-025-01043-9">
 

Gender differences in adolescent opioid misuse and suicidality

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Department/School

Social Work

Publication Title

Child an dAdolescent Social Work Journal

Abstract

The opioid crisis has resulted in staggering financial and social costs to society in the United States. Past research has linked opioid misuse to mental health problems and suicidality, and adolescent females are at the highest risk. This study examined the relationship of adolescent nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) and gender with having (1) serious thoughts of suicide and (2) a suicide plan. This study used data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and included 9,458 respondents aged 12 to 17. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the effect of past-year NMPOU with the odds of (1) having serious thoughts of suicide and (2) having a suicide plan. Results indicated a higher prevalence of suicidality among adolescents who used NMPOU (serious thoughts of suicide: 33.5%; suicide plan: 25.1%), compared to those who did not (serious thoughts of suicide: 13.9%; suicide plan: 6.4%). NMPOU was associated with over twice the odds for having a suicide plan (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: [1.01, 4.47], p < 0.05). Interaction analysis found that adolescent females had higher odds for having a suicide plan (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: [1.12, 2.10], p < 0.01), and the effect of NMPOU was associated with increased odds (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: [1.01, 7.32], p < 0.05). Adolescent females had a higher prevalence of suicidality, and opioid misuse exacerbated this risk. Social workers can play a central role by coordinating prevention and recovery efforts while advocating for resources to address opioid and mental health crisis.

Comments

C. N. Marsack-Topolewski is a faculty member in EMU's School of Social Work.

K. Hughesdon is a faculty member in EMU's School of Nursing.

Link to Published Version

DOI: 10.1007/s10560-025-01043-9

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