Risk Factors for Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: Loss, Insufficient Familial Support, and Hopelessness

20 adolescent suicide attempters & 20 nonattempters were asked about their perceived hopelessness, social support & loss preceding hospitalization. Data show that loss & low family support were the best predictors of an adolescent’s suicide attempt. Attempters reported more hopelessness than nonattempters. The influence of recent loss, especially when paired with a perceived lack of family support & hopelessness, provides evidence for a stress-vulnerability model of adolescent suicide behavior.