ARTICLES
Incidence and Predictors of Suicidal Behaviors in a Longitudinal Sample of Young Adolescents

https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199806000-00011Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

Objective

This analysis examines 1-year transition probabilities and baseline predictors for suicidal behaviors in young adolescents.

Method

Adolescents from a two-stage, community-based longitudinal study were classified into suicidal behavior categories (attempt, plan, ideation, and none) for baseline and follow-up years. Transition probabilities for movement among categories were calculated, and polytomous logistic regression analysis was used to examine predictors of suicidal behaviors.

Result

Among those with no suicidal behaviors at baseline, 1-year incidence rates were 1.3% for attempts and 1.7% each for plans and ideation. Increasing family cohesion was protective for suicide attempts (odds ratio [OR] = 0.9). Female subjects were more likely than males to report plans (OR = 8.9) and ideation (OR = 4.1). Increasing impulsivity (OR = 2.3), prior suicidal behavior (OR = 10.6), and undesirable life events (OR = 1.1) were significant predictors of plans.

Conclusion

While there are a number of predictors of suicidal behaviors, the false-positive rate is high. Focusing on proximal risk factors, particularly stressors in adolescent development, may overlook the fundamental role of underlying mental disorder and familial factors—both biological and environmental. Suicide and suicidal behaviors are the result of a constellation of adverse factors requiring a range of interventions for prevention.

REFERENCES (47)

  • PM Lewinsohn et al.

    Major depression in community adolescents: age at onset, episode duration, and time to recurrence

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1994)
  • PM Lewinsohn et al.

    Psychosocial characteristics of adolescents with a history of suicide attempt

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1993)
  • CR Pfeffer et al.

    Suicidal children grow up: suicidal episodes and effects of treatment during follow-up

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1994)
  • HZ Reinherz et al.

    Early psychosocial risks for adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1995)
  • D Shaffer et al.

    Preventing teenage suicide: a critical review

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1988)
  • D Shaffer et al.

    The impact of curriculum-based suicide prevention programs for teenagers

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1991)
  • CN Velez et al.

    Suicidal behavior and ideation in a community sample of children: maternal and youth reports

    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

    (1988)
  • American Psychiatric Association

    Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition-revised (DSM-III-R)

    (1987)
  • A Apter et al.

    Anxiety, impulsivity and depressed mood in relation to suicidal and violent behavior

    Acta Psychiatr Scand

    (1993)
  • JR Asarnow et al.

    Coping strategies, selfperceptions, hopelessness, and perceived family environments in depressed and suicidal children

    J Consult Clin Psychol

    (1987)
  • DA Brent et al.

    The presence and accessibility of firearms in the homes of adolescent suicides: a case-control study

    JAMA

    (1991)
  • DA Brent et al.

    Risk factors for adolescent suicide: a comparison of adolescent suicide victims with suicidal inpatients

    Arch Gen Psychiatry

    (1988)
  • DA Brent et al.

    Stressful life events, psychopathology, and adolescent suicide: a case control study

    Suicide Life Threat Behav

    (1993)
  • Cited by (0)

    This research was supported by NIMH grant MH40363.

    View full text