Factors Associated With Parent-Reported Suicide Threats by Children and Adolescents With Community-Diagnosed Bipolar Disorder

Parents completed the Child Bipolar Questionnaire via a secure, Internet-based acquisition system. In multivariate modelling analysis, with age & gender as covariates, Questionnaire items that were most closely correlated with parent-reported suicide threat were identified. The strength of this multifactor association was then examined among subjects reported to have a community diagnosis of bipolar disorder compared to those who did not. The Questionnaire items most closely correlated were: hallucinations, cursing/foul language, low energy/withdrawal, imagery-gore/violence, destruction of property, poor self-esteem, excessive risk taking, & excessive anxiety/worry. Items with the strongest associations were related to psychosis, aggression, & impulsivity. (16 refs.) JA