Self-Poisoning Suicide Attempts Among Students in Tehran, Iran

A cross-sectional study was conducted of students admitted to hospital because of self-poisoning. Variables studied included age, gender, substance abuse, personal history, familial history, & the immediate precipitant for the suicide attempt. A total of 248 students were studied. The mean age was 16.3 years. Self-poisoning with a pharmaceutical agent was the most common method. The most common precipitant was family conflict followed by romantic disappointment. The most common psychiatric disorders were adjustment disorder & depression. The emphasis in prevention programs must be on early identification of students at risk & appropriate treatment of episodes of psychopatholgy. (37 refs.) JA