Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and suicidality in children: The mediating role of depression, irritability and anxiety symptoms

•ADHD has been associated with increased suicidality risk in children.•Comorbid symptoms frequently found in ADHD may mediate this association.•Our results confirmed the association between ADHD symptoms and suicidality.•Yet, this association was mediated by depression, irritability and anxiety symptoms.•Measuring depression, irritability and anxiety may facilitate suicide assessment in ADHD. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with increased suicidality risk. Yet, potential mechanisms transmitting the effect of ADHD to suicidality remain unclear. We investigated whether depression, irritability and anxiety symptoms mediate between ADHD symptoms and suicidality. ADHD, depression, irritability and anxiety symptoms as well as suicidality (composited of suicidal ideation, attempts or self-harm) were measured in an outpatient clinic for ADHD (N = 1,516, 6–17 years old, 61.1% diagnosed with ADHD) using parent and teacher questionnaires. Multiple mediator models adjusted for age, sex and psychosocial adversities were constructed separately for parent- and teacher-report. Parents reported higher rates of suicidality than did teachers (12.1% and 3.8%, p