Diagnostic Outcome of Adolescent Self-Reported Suicidal Ideation at 8-Year Follow-up

Data from an epidemiological study were used to examine self-reported suicidal ideation in adolescence as a predictor of suicidal ideation & psychiatric diagnoses at 8-year follow-up. Suicidal ideation was reported by 41 of 912 adolescents aged 11-18 & by 19 of 795 young adults aged 19-26. Most parents of adolescents with positive self-report did not report suicidal ideation in their child. Suicidal ideation in adolescents & yong adults was associated with other psychiatric problems. Adolescent self-reported suicidal ideation was not a predictor of suicidal ideation or any major psychiatric disorder 8 years later. In males, suicidal ideation in adolescence was associated with specific phobias at follow-up. (27 refs.)