Coping Responses of Adolescent Suicide Attempters and Their Relation to Suicidal Ideation Across a 2-Year Follow-up: a Preliminary Study

The coping responses of 23 hospitalized adolescent suicide attempters were compared to those of 19 matched hospitalized non-attempters. Relative to the comparison group, suicide attempters made fewer effortful-approach & more automatic-approach coping responses, & were judged by trained raters to have coped less effectively. Coders’ ratings of greater coping effectiveness among suicide attempters were associated with a greater decline in suicidal symptoms assessed at 6-month follow-up intervals. The findings are discussed in light of a model of coping that incorporates both individual differences & situational characteristics. (46 refs)