Effects of stressful life events on suicide risk among orphaned and left-behind adolescents in China: The mediating roles of loneliness and subjective well-being

Background: Research has established a link between stressful life events and suicide risk among adolescents, but limited attention has been directed towards vulnerable groups regarding the impact of such events on suicide risk. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the influence of stressful life events on suicide risk among orphaned and left-behind adolescents in China and to explore potential variations in this effect across different types of adolescents. Methods: Participants were from four schools located in four counties with high HIV/AIDS infection rates in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. A sample of 1912 students were recruited, and 1524 responses were retained for analysis. Participants completed questionnaires assessing stressful life events, suicide risk, loneliness, and subjective well-being. Orphaned and left-behind adolescents were identified through demographic questions. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the mediating effects of loneliness and subjective well-being on the relationship between stressful life events and suicide risk, as well as to examine the moderating effect of adolescent type. Results: Stressful life events showed a significant positive association with suicide risk. Loneliness and subjective well-being played mediating roles in the relationship between stressful life events and suicide risk. Double and single orphans exhibited higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of subjective well-being. Moreover, stressful life events had a more pronounced effect on suicide risk among left-behind adolescents. Conclusions: Stressful life events exerted a direct positive impact on suicide risk among adolescents, while also indirectly affecting suicide risk by elevating loneliness and diminishing subjective well-being. Adolescents who experienced parental bereavement were more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and unhappiness. However, left-behind adolescents demonstrated elevated suicide risk even when facing similar levels of stressful life events. The stress sensitization theory and the distinct effects of chronic and acute stressors may offer explanatory insights. Implications for practice were discussed.