Suicidal Status, Depression, & Intellectual Functioning in Preadolescent Psychiatric Inpatients

106 preadolescent Inpatients were studied. Suicidal behavior occurred in children with most psychiatric diagnosis but was significantly associated only with a major depressive disorder(MDD). All children with MDD exhibited suicidal behavior. A borderline personality disorder(BPD) was the only other DSM-III Axis I or II diagnosis with which MDD was significantly associated. Intelligence test scores were not related to suicidal status or severity of depression. 38 refs.