Adolescent psychiatric inpatients' risk of suicide attempt at 6-month follow-up

Abstract

Adolescent inpatients (of whom 48 were admitted for a suicide attempt, 33 were admitted for suicidal ideation, and 53 had no history of clinically significant suicidal ideation or attempt), were interviewed while in the hospital and then followed up 6 months later. Of the 134 patients followed up, 13 (9.7%) had made a suicide attempt. The vast majority of those who attempted suicide had been suicidal while in the hospital (12/13 or 92.3%). Other risk factors for suicidal behavior include major depression at intake, affective disorder with nonaffective comorbidity, a depressive disorder that continued through follow-up, death of a relative, and family financial problems. Suicidal inpatients, particularly those with chronic and recurrent affective illness, are at substantial risk for making a suicide attempt within 6 months of discharge. At follow-up, an even higher proportion showed attempts or suicidal ideation with a plan (N = 36 or 26.8%), with risk factors similar to those noted above. More intense outpatient or partial hospital interventions as a transition from the inpatient environment may be necessary to reduce the rate of recidivism among suicidal adolescents.