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Mass Violence/Gun Violence

(PS8-60) Violence Exposure on Social Media and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents

Saturday, November 16, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text:

Background: Prior literature has shown that direct exposure to violence is linked to negative mental health outcomes; however, limited research has examined indirect exposure to violence and mental health outcomes. Social media’s (SM) constant accessibility and highly visual nature has transformed indirect exposure to violent content. To date, we know little about how often teens are exposed to violence on SM, and how this exposure might affect risk for suicidal ideation (SI) and behaviors (SB).

Method: Participants (N = 418; 14-17 years [M = 15.98, SD = .87]; 56% White; 44% racially/ethnically minoritized identities; 63% heterosexual and 37% minoritized sexual orientation) completed an online survey about the frequency of violent content exposure on SM and SI and SB (SITBI-R). Logistic regressions were used to examine the frequency of violence exposure on social media and the likelihood of SI and SB in the past month, controlling for age, socioeconomic status, and social media use.

Results: A majority of teens reported seeing: images or videos of violence against people on SM because of their identity (68%), other forms of violence on SM (murder, domestic violence, animal cruelty) (72%), and gun violence content on SM (73%) in the past three months. Overall, there were significant associations between more frequent exposure to violence in the past three months and greater likelihood of SI and SB, including images or videos of violence against people on SM because of their identity (SI: B=.41; p < .001; SB: B=.70; p < .001), other violent content (murder, domestic violence, animal cruelty) on SM (SI: B=.44; p < .001; SB: B=.50; p < .001), and gun violence exposure on SM (SI: B=.50; p < .001; SB: B=.51; p < .001).

Conclusions: The findings suggest the importance of further examining the effects of violent content exposure on SM in relation to adolescent SI and SB. Understanding this relationship has the potential to inform policy creation, clinical work, and suicide prevention efforts which will broadly improve overall teen mental health.