Nonsuicidal & suicidal adolescent inpatients were compared to community high school students using behavioural measures of impulsivity. Measures of problem solving ability, hopelessness & depression were also administered to all groups. Suicidal inpatients were characterized by greater impulsivity, hopelessness & depression than both of the other groups. No differences in problem-solving abilities were found between the suicidal inpatients & the nonsuicidal inpatients or community controls.