This paper examines the dynamics of youth suicide attempts & completions, & reaches 3 conclusions. The authors suggest that many attempts by youths can be viewed as a strategic action on their part to resolve conflicts within oneself or with others. They also present evidence for contagion effects. Finally, they show that to the extent that youth suicide can be explained, the most important explanatory variable is the increased share of youths living in homes with a divorced parent. (12 refs)