Perceived Abuse and Neglect as Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior in Adolescent Inpatients

The relative risk of histories of various types of abuse & neglect for suicidal behaviour was assessed in a sample of 71 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. In multivariate analysis, female gender, sexual abuse & emotional neglect remained significant predictors of self-mutilation & suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that emotional neglect may be a more powerful predictor of suicidal behaviour in hospitalized adolescents than physical abuse, emotional abuse, & physical neglect. (45 refs)