Adolescent Risk-Takers: a Trauma Center Study of Suicide Attempters and Drivers

Excessive adolescent risk-taking often results in injuries. At issue is whether adolescent suicide attempters & injured motor vehicle drivers constitute a common risk group & are differentiated by the emergency medical response & by case disposition. Data came from Rhode Island trauma center medical records. The 2 groups differed significantly by gender, race, emergency vehicle use, hospital admission rates & seasonal injury patterns. Data deficiencies in alcohol & drug involvement were noted.