Thresholds and Tolerance of Physical Pain in Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Adolescents

It was hypothesized that suicidal inpatient adolescents (n=38) would exhibit a higher tolerance for physical pain than nonsuicidal inpatients (n=29) & control patients (n=34). The suicidal participants significantly differed from the 2 control groups in pain thresholds & tolerance & in most self-report measures, even after controlling for motivation, medication, diagnosis, & length of hospitalization. Significant correlations were found between pain measures & self-report measures. The results were discussed in terms of the role that body experiences play in suicidal behaviour. (44 refs.)