ABSTRACT:This study examined the hypothesis that among one group of high‐risk youth—potential high school dropouts — key psychosocial factors would distinguish adolescents endorsing high suicide ideation from those who do not. Survey data compared high‐risk youth with high suicide ideation (n = 43) with randomly selected samples of high‐risk (n = 43) and “typical” youth (n = 42) without high suicide ideation. Repeat sampling of comparison groups verified results. Compared to high‐risk and typical youth without suicide ideation, high‐risk youth with high suicide ideation reported more psychosocial distress, problems with drug involvement, and disrupted family relations. They also described more unmet school goals and perceived a greater likelihood of dropping out of school. Discriminant analysis revealed that depression and low self‐esteem were most effective in distinguishing between high‐risk youth with and without high suicide ideation: family strain, anger, stress, and drug involvement also were differentiating factors. Implications for school‐based screening and prevention programs are discussed within the context of the findings. (J Sch Healt
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