Attempted Suicide Among Young People: Risk Factors in a Prospective Register Based Study of Danish Children Born in 1966

This study surveyed possible risk factors for suicidal behaviour in adolescents & young adults. Population-based registers covering children born in Denmark in 1966 at the age span of 14-27 years & their parents were used to gather data on health, education, family dissolution, suicidal behaviour, substance abuse, criminality, & unemployment. A discrete-time proportional hazard modelling was used to analyse the longitudinal observations. First-time suicide attempts wree associated with parental psychiatric disorder, suicidal behaviour, violence, child abuse, & neglect. Increased risks were also found among young people who suffered from psychiatric disorder or physical handicap, had been legally imprisoned, were addicted to drugs, or without graduation, vocational training or employment. (39 refs.)