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Fearlessness about death predicts adolescent suicide attempt: A preliminary analysis
Mikael S Ferm1, Laura A Frazee1, Betsy D Kennard1,2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|October 26, 2020
Summary
Fearlessness about death in adolescents predicts future suicide attempts. This study found that adolescents with higher fearlessness about death were more likely to attempt suicide, even after accounting for other risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Psychology
- Suicidology
Background:
- Suicide attempt theories propose a desire for death and capability for suicide are necessary.
- Fearlessness about death is a key element of suicide capability.
- Limited research exists on the prospective link between fearlessness about death and adolescent suicide attempts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if fearlessness about death predicts suicide attempts in adolescents.
- To examine the prospective relationship between fearlessness about death and suicide attempts in a clinical sample of adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Baseline fearlessness about death was measured in 122 adolescents (ages 12-18) undergoing intensive outpatient treatment for suicidal ideation or attempts.
- The study assessed suicide attempts between treatment entry and a six-month follow-up.
- Statistical analysis controlled for common covariates.
Main Results:
- Fearlessness about death significantly predicted suicide attempts from treatment entry to six-month follow-up (Quade F=2.15, p<.02).
- This finding remained significant after controlling for other risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Fearlessness about death is a significant independent predictor of suicide attempts in adolescents.
- This highlights the importance of assessing fearlessness about death in at-risk youth.
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