Reasons for Adolescent Suicide Attempts: Associations With Psychological Functioning

Self-reported reasons for suicide attempts & psychological functioning were examined in 120 adolescent suicide attempters who presented to a pediatric general hospital. Consistent with prior research, the most frequently endorsed motives for self-harm were to die, to escape, & to obtain relief. More manipulative reasons for overdose, such as making people sorry, were endorsed less frequently. Adolescents who cited death as a reason for their suicide attempt reported more hopelessness, socially prescribed perfectionism, depression, & anger expression. Systematic assessment of the reasons for a suicide attempt is a useful tool for clinicians in determining recommendations for follow-up treatment. (31 refs.)