Suicide is one of the main causes of death in teenagers in the United States. In the study, “Prevalence, Correlates, and Treatment of Lifetime Suicidal Behavior Among Adolescents,” results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement that surveyed over 10,000 adolescents are examined. After reviewing surveys, researchers interviewed a sample group of 6,483 adolescents from the study between the ages of 13 and 18 that had complete data from the survey, and their parents, to estimate the length of time suicidal thoughts in teenagers lingered. Preexisting disorders were found that resulted in the longevity of these suicidal thoughts and actions. It was revealed that the rate of suicidal behavior in adolescents was close to that of adults. Better prediction and prevention strategies were concluded necessary for these thoughts or actions. In the popular press article based on the empirical study, the facts were displayed accurately and distinct. One particular empirical strength this article displayed was that the study was not over a set number of people. The researchers didn’t have a limit to how many adolescents and families they would let take their survey about suicidal pasts or presents. Another strength would be the random choosing of the smaller sample that were interviewed by the researchers themselves. Of course, a popular press article is going to have some weaknesses when it comes to their empirical details. One being that they referenced
