Abstract for: Characterizing Loop Dominance Patterns with Application to a Developmental Theory of the Dynamics of Adolescence Suicide

This paper presents a method to analyze system dynamics models that focuses on characterizing loop dominance patterns with an application to understanding the developmental trajectories of cognitive vulnerabilities and family support related to the risk of adolescent suicide. Drawing on prior work on loop dominance, the method uses Loops That Matter as implemented in Stella Simulator to describe and characterize loop dominance patterns. The paper illustrates the approach using “Limits to Growth” and then applies the method to a small system dynamics model from developmental psychology based on secondary qualitative analysis of interviews using grounded theory. Results highlight the significant and unique insights of formal analysis of system dynamics models for advancing scientific knowledge and the potential of system dynamics for developing novel interventions to pressing public health problems.