Adam Chen

Thesis Title: Investigative the Social Determinants of Youth Suicide

This PhD investigates the social determinants of self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) among young people (16–25) in England, addressing a critical gap in youth-specific suicide prevention research. While individual risk factors such as prior mental health disorders, bullying, and substance use are well documented, broader political, social, economic, and environmental influences remain largely underexplored.

Guided by the Pirkis et al. (2024) public health model of suicide, the project employs a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design across three interrelated studies.

Study One conducts a Rapid Realist Policy Review to assess how national policies address social determinants related to self-harm and STB. Study Two analyses longitudinal data from birth cohort studies to examine associations and interactions between social determinants, individual risk factors, and self-harm/STB. Study Three uses qualitative interviews to explore young people’s lived experiences of these influences.

This research aims to improve understanding of the complex interplay between broader social determinants and individual factors, methodological innovations in policy-focused realist review, and evidence-based recommendations for whole-of-government approaches to youth suicide prevention.

Biography:

Adam is a PhD student at the Institute for Mental Health at the University of Birmingham, working in collaboration with the University of Nottingham on a Strategic Joint Studentship. His research primarily focuses on investigating the Social Determinants of Youth Suicide in England through the use of mixed methods. He is broadly interested in the Sociology of mental health, youth suicide, intersectional inequalities, mixed-methods research, participatory and creative methods, and Feminist reflexive methodology. Prior to his PhD, he attended the University of Sheffield and attained an M.A. in Social Research and a B.A. (Hons) in Sociology. He also worked as a research assistant on numerous projects. Adam is the lead of SRN Midlands, a network for PhD students in the Midlands researching sensitive or emotionally demanding research in the social sciences.

Memberships:

Self-harm and Suicide Prevention Group

SRN Midlands

Psychology

University of Birmingham

2024 Cohort

Email:

Bluesky: @ahgchen.bsky.social

Personal Website Link opens in a new window

Supervisory Team:

Maria Michail

Nicola Wright

Isabel Morales-Muñoz