NCJ Number
117026
Date Published
1988
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This review of the social, situational, cognitive, and individual variables that contribute to youthful suicide concludes that adolescents attempting suicide generally are of average intelligence, have a negative outlook, are emotionally reactive, probably are depressed and act out their feelings, and have experienced chronic family and social disruption.
Abstract
The characteristics of adolescents who complete suicide are relatively unknown. However, these youths may be even more isolated and disturbed and less visible than are those attempting suicide. Factors such as gender, sex roles, emotional disturbance, sequence of events over time, and physical illness seem to have important roles in the development of suicidal behavior for this age group but need further clarification. Further research should focus on the interaction of multiple etiological factors over time and on identifying the psychosocial factors that may distinguish suicidal adolescent from other emotionally disturbed youths. Tables and 126 references.