Mood Variability in Adolescent Suicide: Importance in Domains of Self-Schemas in Adolescent Suicide

The premise that significant differences exist in self-concept content, structure, & processes between 3 groups of adolescents (age 13-17) was examined in this study. A pilot (& subsequent control group) of 23 non-depressed, non-behaviourally disordered adolescents, & two clinical subgroups of 30 depressed adolescents & 12 adolescents with a past suicide attempt or attempts were recruited & interviewed during 1996-1999. Significant relationships between decreasing levels of importance of school & family & increasing levels of mood variability were found among adolescents with a history of suicidality. (50 refs.)