Measuring Adolescent Behaviors Related to Intentional Injuries

This paper describes the development of questions related to intentional injuries for the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System questionnaire. Attempted suicide is measured with 4 questions patterned after structured interview questions investigating adult suicide. The wording & structure of the questions were modified to make them more appropriate for adolescents. The questions asked about suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts & injurious outcomes from attempted suicide. (39 refs.)