86 adolescent attempters were categorized according to the degree of premeditation of their attempt. Sex, age, method & prior attempts were not useful discriminators between impulsive & nonimpulsive groups. Nonimpulsive Ss were significantly more depressed & hopeless. Depression, hopelessness & suicidal ideation were highly correlated in both groups. Inward anger & hopelessness were correlated only in the premediated group, suggesting that their distress may be related to self-anger. (32 refs.)