Parental marital satisfaction and suicidal behavior in preadolescents and adolescents : the mediating role of positive youth development attributes

Abstract

Background: This study examined the predictive effect of parental marital satisfaction on suicidal behaviors among preadolescents and adolescents in China, with positive youth development (PYD) attributes as a mediator. Methods: A total of 3665 matched pairs of students (aged 9–19, 51.3% boys) and their parents completed questionnaires, with parental marital satisfaction reported by parents and suicidal behaviors (ideation, plan, and attempt) and PYD attributes reported by students. Results: The prevalence of overall suicidal behavior was 15.5% in this sample, with a higher prevalence observed among those with lower parental education levels. Hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling analyses revealed that: (1) after controlling for socio-demographic variables, parental marital satisfaction negatively predicted suicidal behaviors; (2) PYD attributes negatively predicted suicidal behaviors, accounting for the largest proportion of variance (ΔR2 range = 0.036–0.102); (3) parental marital satisfaction was positively correlated with PYD attributes; and (4) PYD attributes partially mediated the predictive relationship between parental marital satisfaction and suicidal behavior, with a significant indirect effect (β = −0.06) accounting for 56.6% of the total effect. Conclusions: This study illuminates protective pathways through which a positive family environment cultivates individual competencies, ultimately contributing to reduced suicidal behavior.