Comparing the intrinsic connections of depression and suicide risk between left-behind and non-left-behind children: a network analysis

Left-behind children (LBC) in China have a high prevalence of depression and suicide risk. However, the interrelationships between depression symptoms and multi-faceted suicide risk remain unclear. This study aimed to employ network analysis to investigate the intrinsic connections of depression and suicide risk among LBC and non-LBC (NLBC), as well as the disparity in the connections between these two groups. The participants of this research were 2067 middle school students, including 671 LBC (32.56%), 889 males (43.13%), aging from 11 to 20 (M_age = 15.19, SD = 1.62). Their depression symptoms and suicide risk were assessed. Subsequently, their networks including depression and suicide risk symptoms were estimated. Moreover, expected influence and bridge expected influence were calculated to identify core symptoms and bridge symptoms linking depression and suicide risk. Additionally, network comparison was conducted to investigate the disparity between LBC and NLBC. Results identified sadness, depressed mood, suicidal preparation, crying and loneliness as core symptoms for both groups. Defeated and useless was unique core symptom for LBC. Crying, loss of appetite, self-injury and suicidal ideation were bridge symptoms for LBC. Our study identifies the core symptoms and bridge symptoms in the LBC’s depression and suicide risk network, as well as revealing the interrelationships of LBC’s multi-faceted suicide risk. By targeting these symptoms, our findings provide effective guidance for clinical intervention.