Suicidal attempts among older adolescents: prevalence and co-occurrence with psychiatric disorders

Abstract

The prevalence of suicidal attempts and ideation and the co-occurrence of attempts with psychiatric disorders were examined in a community sample of 1710 older adolescents. Structured interviews using rigorous diagnostic criteria were conducted in two annual assessments. Lifetime prevalence of attempts was 7.1% and ideation was 21.1%. Almost 90% of those who attempted also evidenced suicidal ideation. Suicide attempts occurred in conjunction with depressive, substance use, and disruptive behavior disorders but not with panic disorders. Results indicate that risk factors for an attempt are the following: being female, from a home without a father, poor education of the father, previous attempts, suicidal ideation, and mental disorders.