Suicide Attempts Among Depressed Adolescents in Primary Care

Suicide attempts among 451 depressed primary care patients, 13-21 years of age, were examined. In bivariate analysis, youth classified as suicide attempters showed elevated levels of psychopatholgy, specifically depressive symptoms, externalizing behaviours, anxiety, substance use, mania, & posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Externalizing behaviours & depression severity uniquely contributed to the prediction of suicide attempts in multivariate analyses. High levels of environmental stress as well as a few key stressful events were associated with suicide attempts; a recent romantic breakup or being assaulted added to suicide attempt risk, beyond the effects of psychopathology. (58 refs.)