Suicidal Behavior by Hospitalized Preadolescent Children on a Psychiatric Unit

Of 348 children (5-13 yrs.) admitted over 4 yrs. to a psychiatric unit, 17.5% were acutely suicidal. The suicidal children differed from matched controls by a family history of suicidal behaviors, acute stressful events, abuse to the mother & higher IQ. Depression was highly correlated with suicidal behaviors, but not with seriousness of intent. Assaultiveness predicted less serious behaviors & family history of domestic violence discriminated the conduct disordered from the depressed children.